Post Op Depression / Emotions / Etc

[sallypost]

I would like to see if we can gather more information to provide to those who are going to have surgery and need a concrete idea of what the Post Surgical emotional roller coaster is.  Would anybody like to help on getting a solid set of data together so people will know in  the future.  I know for me, I really wish I had more info, and I had researched it as much as possible and also had a lot of contact with some of the highly regarded therapists in the GID arena.  The answers I got were vague to say the least.

[Ann Onymous]

there is no magical one-size-fits-all manner though...it is just like post-partum depression in that some women NEVER have PPD while others are at the other end of the spectrum. 

In my own case, there was no depression and I really cannot say that there was not a big emotional release of any type.  I just *was.*  I never was that bundle of nerves, and in fact, I never even took the sleeping pill that they wanted everyone to take the night before.  I have actually had orthopedic appoimtments that were more nerve-wracking and emotionally draining than SRS was for me. 

Conversely, I know others that were overcome with emotions of differing types.

[blackMamba]

Depression after surgery (not just SRS) is not uncommon.

http://www.med.umich.edu/depression/condition.htm

[Muffins]

I experienced something.. but I feel it's hard to separate PPD, hormonal imbalances and painkiller withdrawals. Did they all work together or was I only experiencing one of those? the lines seem to be blurred. I'd say it all started with the nightmares as everything seems to be euphoric from the painkillers up to then. I know I missed doses and was taking too many then cold turkey'd them for a while. That was while in thailand and it was rough, I went a few days being really quiet and emotional. Then once home and I stopped the strong painkillers all together and changed my hormone doses things got even worse.. if I wasn't living with my parents I may not be typing this.. it was hellish. On top of painful dilating.
I think a lot of factors can affect ones mental state while freshly post-op and it's important to ensure you eliminate anything that can have a possible negative effect. Stick to suggested med doses and keep mentally active with positive actives. I found talking it out with someone who you know genuinely cares was really positive. Just talking about it and understanding what I was going through and having someone else listen and valid it all..helped... the feeling of loneliness and mental weakness was BIG... also reading helps.

[Renate]

I personally would avoid general anesthesia at all costs.
It has been implicated in post-op depression.
Depending on what and where, a spinal anesthesia and tranquilizers does the job.

[Debra]

I wouldn't say I had much depression. I think most of any 'down' feelings I had were partially hormones and partially the fact that I was comparing my early results to others. Don't do that! hehe

[rachel_eliason]

I had some significant depression and anxiety post op but I also had some complications which made a huge difference emotionally. Most of my anxiety was due to the fear that the complications would get worse and the whole surgery would eventually fail. it didn't happen thank god, but that's how I felt those first few days.  I was also off HRT for nearly two months as a result, which I am sure contributed to my emotional state. I can see a number of factors that can lead to post-op depression in transwomen and I think it's probably fairly common.

surgery itself can lead to depression. Transwomen are often very focussed on getting our SRS (naturally) and afterwards that loss of something to focus on can be experienced as a loss. In my case I had this idea of a "perfect" recovery in my head and that wasn't what I experienced. I had to learn to stop comparing myself to other women in the hotel who were recovering much faster or better than me (they hadn't had my complications). There are also a lot of unrealistic beliefs about what SRS will do. (I have sat in my support group and heard pre-op women spout off about they'll pass perfectly, their friends and family will come to fully accept them as women and "not be trans anymore" after they have their surgery. Sorry it doesn't work that way.)

[Kim 526]

I had a reaction to the anesthesia. Not sure what was used. I had surgery on a Monday, was delirious Tuesday and not cognizant until Wednesday. It was a bad experience but once I came out of it everything was better. On Wednesday they got me right up & walking as soon as they deemed me clear of the reaction's effects. Losing a day was scary. Luckily my then-girlfriend was there to mop my brow & take care of me. I remain thankful to her for her care & love.
Kim

[Nero]

Hi Sally,

I went deep into a black hole following my top surgery years ago. I had no explanation for it as I was ecstatic about the surgery and should have been on cloud nine. The world just seemed so dark. I think it was my reaction to the anesthesia or some kind of physical reaction to being cut open. Don't remember how long it lasted but seemed like forever. I think being prepared that you might experience it and remembering if you do it's just the effects of surgery and nothing permanent may help.

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

If one is prone to depression prior to surgery-then the chances are this will follow through after surgery...Having surgery can be a major stress on both ones body and mind, I would suggest one, start both a mental and physical exercise programme and stick to it...

There's no magic pill one can take, but there's a lot one can do to reduce the possibility of suffering the debilitating effects of depression..."Mind over matter" is the key but ones "matter" needs also to be in a healthy state... "Prevention is better than cure!"

Metta Zenda

[Nicole99]

For me the hardest bit was the week before I needed to go home from Thailand. It was leaving the security of our networks we developed that was hard, the constant care of the clinic staff.

i got home and it was overwhelming.

But things quickly improved as things healed.

[FairyGirl]

I really didn't experience any post-op depression as such, even though I had a major complication as well due to excessive bleeding.  But something Nicole said might be the reason.  I had moved to Philadelphia near my surgeon just before surgery so I was able to make regular visits, twice weekly in the beginning, and was basically under her constant watchful eye in case anything went wrong.  It didn't, but I still had a couple scares along the way and was very glad she was nearby.

I also had my BFF from Australia there with me for 8 weeks to look after me in those early stages of healing, and after that my dear friend (Suigeneris here at Susan's) was just a phone call away, so in effect I didn't really have to give up the security of my support network.  That may have well played an important part in why post-op depression didn't affect me so much.

[Sandy]

I had some significant post-op depression and anxiety following my FFS/BA.  Though I can't say that I had that much following SRS.

The only thing I can say is that after my facial work, I had nothing to do but sit around and have near constant pain.  It took a few weeks before I really started feeling better.

Following SRS, I had much less discomfort, and I was almost always busy either getting ready to dilate, dilating, or cleaning up afterwards.

-Sandy

[Suigeniris]

Awwwwww Chloeeeee ,  <3  I LOVE YOU SISTERFRIEND !!!!  I wish all the ladies the best !!! As for me I have been very fortunate not to experience this .