Feeling depressed after surgery. Is this normal?

[0uch]

Sorry for the whingefest ahead.

I had major surgery recently, under general anesthetic.

My recovery has gone really well but I haven’t had much of a chance to rest due to family/caring responsibilities.

I’ve been mainly fine so far but have been incredibly depressed and low all day today, since yesterday really. I did sleep for a few hours but even that hasn’t made me feel better.

My dressings came off today also and I’m left with lots of scaring. The surgeon did warn me that I am likely going to need corrective cosmetic surgery in about a year but I’m currently left with a very noticeable, large, scar. I have a lot of swelling at the wound site too and can’t even look in a mirror without seeing it.

Is feeling like this normal? The timeline from discovering the issue to diagnosis and then to surgery was pretty short and I spent weeks just wanting the surgery to be over and done with, but now it is I just feel so flat and deflated.

In know I’m so lucky to have been able to access treatment and I’m genuinely grateful that I’m making a good recovery, but I just feel so low.

I think, from what you've said, that feeling depressed following major surgery, GA (which can impact in all sorts of ways), significant scarring and from what you've said not enough rest, is entirely normal.

Sorry you're having such a tough time. I can't emphasise enough how important rest is for the mind and body.

Post-op blues is very much a real thing and that's without the period of adjustment you need for clearly dealing with something pretty major in a short space of time.

I'm sorry you've been through such a tough time:(

It's hard to see the changes to our bodies following major surgery but the wound will improve as it heals and settles. The year might feel slow but will pass quicker than you think and if you're due corrective surgery, trust in your surgeon that this will improve things.

Speak to your gp or consultant about your mood, they can be primed to provide you with support. You also really need to focus on yourself as much as possible and giving yourself the time and care you need to recover.

It might help to talk to someone about what you've been through, how do you feel about this idea?

Yes, I think that's very normal. Your body has been through a lot, and so has your mind, what with the diagnosis, the wait for surgery and now the recovery process. That's a huge stress and I'm not surprised you're feeling low. Have a chat to your GP if it persists, but in the meantime look after yourself and rest as much as you can. Hope your recovery continues to go well and you feel better soon

It’s normal. I had major surgery under GA and felt horrific. I refused to look at my body as I felt butchered and scarred . My poor mum and the nurses had to shower me as I refused . It’s all the stress and pain you’ve been through. It’s normal and it will eventually go. I felt down for weeks after mine . If you have people to speak too then please do it.

Yes very normal. I found it passed pretty much in line with the main physical healing too so maybe connected. I'm 3 years on and never even notice my scar any more.

Try and eat well, get some rest and do some gentle exercise if you're allowed to.

Very normal. GA alone is a big thing and has an effect on your body even before you look at the surgery. Expect a good few weeks of feeling tired beyond belief and being very up and down in mood.

You really must get more rest and be kind to yourself. Who can you ask to help more with your family and caring responsibilities? Because you need to - don't think you have to just carry on with everything. You've been through a traumatic experience and need rest and support.

Hello OP

Sorry you are feeling awful. I've had stacks of surgery under GA and as a result had big scars for years which are on legs in place can be seen if not trousers.

Can I ask some questions?

How long ago?

Have you no one at home to help? Major surgery is tough recovery etc. If struggling on as usual then obviously it will have effect on mood etc.

This type of surgery is a massive deal emotionally. And depending on what for and how well it went and if need more etc... I mean it's a big deal. It's natural to have all sorts of emotions feelings etc.

You don't have to answer obv.

Swelling will go down yes but healing inside takes a long time esp if tendons and things.

Sounds like it is face/ neck that is really hard. Mine was somewhere obvious if wore certain (perfectly standard) clothes eg school uniform.

In my experience having had a few surgeries this is totally normal. I’ve often had surgeons ask me at after checks if I’m feeling a bit flat/down. And then you not getting the proper amount of rest won’t be helping at all - after my last surgery I had to rest lots and even then I was still shattered. Also don’t pressure yourself to be ‘better’ just try and rest and recuperate.

Knowing it’s normal doesn’t make it easier though. Sorry it’s so difficult, I hope you can get some rest and be on the up and up as soon as possible.

I think it’s normal. I’ve had two surgeries under GA and am facing a very hefty one soon. I wonder if it’s due to a comedown from lots of pent-up adrenaline and anxiety pre-surgery. It’s difficult if you have caring responsibilities when really you need someone to care for you.

Thanks everyone, this is all reassuring.

I think I was just so anxious about getting through the surgery, I didn’t think of much beyond having it done.

I think I’m being quite hard on myself too because, straight after the operation, I was doing so well and was up and about pretty much immediately. I think this is my body’s way of making me stop and rest.

I took a (prescribed!) sleeping tablet last night and slept through until 6am but woke up crying so think it’s a day for soppy movies and lots of tea, and avoiding the mirror for a while.

Another voice to say this is all totally normal and you must give yourself lots of gentle time and TLC to recover, mentally and physically. I remember googling “postoperative depression” when experiencing similar feelings. I could be brought to tears for over a year when asked about my surgery, which was life-saving in an emergency situation. I suspect there was an element of PTSD about it. I needed revision surgery later and still have rather dramatic hypertrophic scarring, but have come to terms with it as part of my life story.

Take care and binge those comfort movies today

I'm so glad I'm not the only one.....had surgery 6 weeks back (fractured shoulder) and 10 days ago restarted antidepressants after 2 years. I've been feeling really low and finding recovery very difficult.

@Spidey66

I'm so glad I'm not the only one.....had surgery 6 weeks back (fractured shoulder) and 10 days ago restarted antidepressants after 2 years. I've been feeling really low and finding recovery very difficult.

Come on in, @Spidey66, lots of room for us Debbie Downers here

Do you have support around you? Have to say, my husband has been great but I’ve been keeping quiet in front of my family. I don’t want to upset them and just don’t have the headspace for discussing it.

I hope you have someone to look out for you too.

Emotional issues aside, how’s your shoulder? Has the surgery improved it?

I've got my husband and he's been great.

The surgery has helped but it's been slow, I've been trying to do something new each day but I'm kind of stuck atm. I can't lift my right arm very far, so I'm washing and brushing my hair with my left hand for example. Putting on my coat is a struggle still. I can't put my arm behind my back which doesn't sound much but you try wiping your arse without putting your hand behind your back lol

It's not been a great year....6 weeks before the accident I had my gallbladder out and ive also green treated for cataracts.

It's not been a great year....6 weeks before the accident I had my gallbladder out and ive also green treated for cataracts

Oh you poor thing, sounds like you’ve had a tough ride this year.

It all seems to happen together, doesn’t it? The night before my first hospitalisation, our beloved dog died. Actually felt like I was screaming internally for about three days and could barely speak because I figured if I started crying, I wouldn’t be able to stop.

I ended up in hospital again a few days ago. I was feeling awful and then noticed that the swelling around my wound had ballooned so back to GP and straight to hospital. Turns out I have a pretty nasty infection so needed a few days in hospital to have that drained and have i/v antibiotics.

While I am obviously not thrilled that I now have this to deal with, I’m taking some solace from the fact that it’s likely I was feeling so down because the infection was brewing.

Now if only I could find a comfortable position to sleep. Some nights I’m out like a light at 9pm, then other nights I just can’t settle. It’s so annoying.

I've just realised the typo in my last sentence......green treated for cataracts!

@0uch my sleep is better than it was but I'm a side sleeper and atm can only really sleep on my left. Even sleeping on my back causes pain to my shoulder. I have a fitbit which measures my sleep patterns, and there does appear to be lots of brief periods of waking, but which I think is to do with when I turn.

Ps you've had a tough few days, hope you feel better soon. You have a suitable username lol!