Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Emotional ups and downs after surgery?



Recommended Posts

How long after surgery did you guys cycle up and down emotionally? I've gone from being Pollyanna and nauseatingly cheerful for the last few days to feeling like I've just had the soul sucked out of me this morning. NOTHING is wrong, life is good, work is good, home life is fantastic, both my kids will be home today, we're going to the state fair tomorrow, objectively speaking, all is well.

But if I could, I'd just stay in bed today.

I"m 8-9 weeks out, and it's still a week to my period so that's not it. Made myself get up and exercise hoping the endorphins would kick in, but nothing yet. I expected it at first after the surgery but am a bit surprised at it this late into it.

Is this common?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When you lose weight rapidly, that fat releases stored estrogen and who knows what else. It triggers alot of emotions. I am not sure how long that happened for me... it came and went.

I had a few surprises.. i had gone through menopausse early with relatively few symptoms. After I lose about 120# I started having SOME menopause symtoms because my estrogen finally dropped low enough to experience them! Who knew? All that fat... no wonder obese women are more prone to breast cancer.

Later on in the journey, I went through alot more emotional ups and downs related to body image... rapid changes... the body changed faster then the brain did.

It has been a rollercoaster at times, but all in all - really good. Just remind yourself to stay calm, take a breathe, and know that just like a teenager, sometimes it is the body chemicals causing havoc! Meditation, yoga and some things like that can help center you if you feel like you need some non food coping strategies.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When you lose weight rapidly, that fat releases stored estrogen and who knows what else. It triggers alot of emotions. I am not sure how long that happened for me... it came and went.

I had a few surprises.. i had gone through menopausse early with relatively few symptoms. After I lose about 120# I started having SOME menopause symtoms because my estrogen finally dropped low enough to experience them! Who knew? All that fat... no wonder obese women are more prone to breast cancer.

Later on in the journey, I went through alot more emotional ups and downs related to body image... rapid changes... the body changed faster then the brain did.

It has been a rollercoaster at times, but all in all - really good. Just remind yourself to stay calm, take a breathe, and know that just like a teenager, sometimes it is the body chemicals causing havoc! Meditation, yoga and some things like that can help center you if you feel like you need some non food coping strategies.

Yeah it's easy for me to disregard it because I know it's hormones/chemicals. It caught me off guard this morning.

Fortunately for me, when I get stressed I can't eat so that's one good thing! I used to eat out of boredom or the need for something fun and exciting. Stress and depression don't trigger eating in me thankfully.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's interesting seeing all the individual answers here. Im personally waiting for the emotional part. Im 3.5 weeks post op and haven't felt any different emotionally yet. Even during the gritty first week of feeling miserable and slight complication from my allergies, I still haven't experienced the emotional ups or downs. I expect Im going to get hit in the face with the crying stick one day soon.

::hugs:: to those of you could use it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How long after surgery did you guys cycle up and down emotionally? I've gone from being Pollyanna and nauseatingly cheerful for the last few days to feeling like I've just had the soul sucked out of me this morning. NOTHING is wrong' date=' life is good, work is good, home life is fantastic, both my kids will be home today, we're going to the state fair tomorrow, objectively speaking, all is well. But if I could, I'd just stay in bed today. I"m 8-9 weeks out, and it's still a week to my period so that's not it. Made myself get up and exercise hoping the endorphins would kick in, but nothing yet. I expected it at first after the surgery but am a bit surprised at it this late into it. Is this common?[/quote']

OMG you're quoting my life!!! My poor hubby has been amazing but it's crazy how I am a roller coaster emotionally speaking. Some days I feel absolutely wonderful...today I've done nothing but lie in bed and cover my head (that's where I am right now!). I don't want to get up or do anything and that makes me feel positively LAZY! Hubby is working, kiddos are at school...I'm being a bum:(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OMG you're quoting my life!!! My poor hubby has been amazing but it's crazy how I am a roller coaster emotionally speaking. Some days I feel absolutely wonderful...today I've done nothing but lie in bed and cover my head (that's where I am right now!). I don't want to get up or do anything and that makes me feel positively LAZY! Hubby is working, kiddos are at school...I'm being a bum:(

That's exactly what I want to do. My husband and I were sleeved the same day, so he goes through some of it from time to time as well. I tell him as long as we're not both down the same day, we're doing okay.

Feels like I'm trudging through wet sand today. Ugh.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I hope you can feel better soon...at least it doesn't STAY this feeling 24/7...just feels horrible when it does. And yes, I would hope you and hubby don't feel bad on the same day - might not be good for the kiddos :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay now I feel stupid.

Just saw the calendar, and the light-bulb went on. It's my mom's birthday. She would have been 75. Died too young at 56 years old. And 19 years later, I still miss her something fierce. So THAT is apparently what's going on with me today.

Sigh. You know how in the old days, we'd think everything was about our weight? Now I think we believe everything is about our surgery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay now I feel stupid. Just saw the calendar' date=' and the light-bulb went on. It's my mom's birthday. She would have been 75. Died too young at 56 years old. And 19 years later, I still miss her something fierce. So THAT is apparently what's going on with me today. Sigh. You know how in the old days, we'd think everything was about our weight? Now I think we believe everything is about our surgery![/quote']

I'm so sorry to hear that. I cannot fathom what you feel, my mom is still with me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×