Postoperative Depression

Many people, including myself, experience times of sadness or anxiety while they are recovering from cosmetic surgery. I started to second guess myself and wonder if I ever should have had the surgery in the first place. I started thinking that the discomfort, bruises, and swelling would last forever.

If you are depressed, you are not alone. Depression after any kind of surgery is quite common.

Typical Reasons For Depression After Tummy Tuck Surgery
Depression can result from the aftereffects of anesthesia (anesthesia seems to bring out our "sensitive sides" and makes many emotions feel stronger), medications, postsurgical traumatic stress syndrome, constipation from the medications (Who can be happy when that happens?), and a general sense that your life is in disarray.

Having to stay in bed and restrict your activities, along with the fact that you have to sleep on your back for 2 weeks doesn't make things any better. If you normally sleep on your stomach or side, you may have trouble sleeping. And if you don't get a good nights rest, the next day can be horrid! If you've had a tummy tuck and liposuction to get a nice flat abdomen, your belly may be bigger during the recovery than it was before the surgery. And don't forget that you went into the surgery feeling perfectly healthy, and now you feel like a truck hit you.

Whew! No wonder you're feeling down.

Pain and discomfort after abdominoplasty can really wreak havoc on you. The recovery period after an abdominoplasty isn't life threatening, but it isn't exactly fun either.

As I mentioned, pain medications (and antibiotics) can cause constipation and other temporary digestive problems that can back everything up. You feel bloated and sometimes even have intestinal cramps, as if you needed that! Some surgeons suggest a mild stool softener like Colace or Dulcolax. You can also try natural remedies such as or high-fiber cereals eating daikon (Chinese radish) after you are finished with your medications. This helps with getting everything in working order again and helps flush out residual medications and what not from your intestines. Drinking plenty of water helps and I cannot stress this factor enough.

The leading reason for depression is usually the aftereffects of the adrenaline rush of preparing for the surgery and getting through surgery day.

Think about it this way: Imagine that you are expecting something that you have anticipated a great deal. You are just so emotionally and mentally excited and you are having a physical adrenaline rush. You believe everything is going to be wonderful and that as soon as soon as your bandages come off, your problems are over. You and your nice taut tummy will be ready for the beach!

But then the bandages come off and, instead of wonderfulness, you are bruised, swollen, uncomfortable, and have a big, red scar! And you can't even stand up straight! You feel like crud and maybe you can't sleep through the night really well. You start thinking, "What have I done to myself?" The adrenaline rush is over and you are just plain down.

Postsurgical depression is very normal, especially after cosmetic surgery. You may subconsciously have expected to feel and look better "instantly," even though you rationally understand that this will not be the case. You also went from feeling well right before your surgery to having swelling and pain afterward. Patients commonly question their decision to have surgery during the first few days after surgery. As the healing occurs, these thoughts usually disappear.

If you feel depressed, it can help to remember that this is a normal part of healing. Print out our Postoperative Emotions Reminder List to help you with your recovery.

You're not crazy, you're just going through a low period. It should subside.

However, sometimes, postoperative depression does not go away. If your depression does not resolve after a few weeks, speak with your surgeon about it. Do not be afraid to get a referral for a therapist. Talking about your situation with a therapist can help, as can a combination of therapy and medications. Don't expect to "snap out of it," because serious depression does not work that way and it is not something that you can just shake off. Get help. You deserve it.