[Mountaindewed]

Can having surgery just completely change you? I just have not been the same mental health wise since my surgery and I’m wondering if that can happen. Will I ever be back to my old self? It’s been almost a month.

[RoxanneToto]

I think this is possible - we’ve had a couple of (older) men in the family who were never the same after having surgery. I don’t think both had a huge personality change (it was years ago), but they were definitely different afterwards. I can’t remember what they had done but they were knocked out.
It’s possible some other people have ‘recovered’ over time, however.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know about completely changing a person. But it was undergoing surgery that finally began the process of bringing the mental health struggles I had kept secret all of my life out into the open. Sometimes I've said it's been downhill ever since. That may be a bit of an exaggeration. But it hasn't gotten better with time either.

[unaluna]

I always used to say, "its exactly the same only different!" People would think i was making a joke. I think it reflects how i wanted my life to be. Changed but still familiar?

Actors say, "Leap, and the net will appear."

If you mean really changes like brain function, i think you can google that. It does sound familiar. Like people having an english accent after a stroke or something? Not that, exactly!

[lightly toasted]

From what I understand, our body experiences surgery, even when the surgery is to benefit our health, as trauma. So the depression that comes after surgery for many people is a physical trauma reaction.

At least that's how it was explained to me not sure if that's helpful,and if I remember the timeline or feeling back to your old self is different for everyone..six weeks for some, a year for others.

[*Beth*]

I've had 5 surgeries in my life and yes, I felt different after them. The 1st two were cesarean sections, though, so part of feeling different was having a new baby.


Still, the other 3 surgeries affected me pretty strongly. I felt the reality of my mortality in a more personal way. Mostly, though, my physical stamina was not as good post-op. It never quite returned as I would have liked it to. Still, after 6 months or so I did feel a lot better.


You're young, though. I think you'll feel a big improvement when your out of pain. Pain really changes us.

Forgive me if I'm remembering incorrectly, but haven't hormones been part of your process? They can really affect ones state of mind. I think back to being pregnant, and even just the fluctuation of levels of various hormones was quite a ride. I'd cry (not sad, just emotionally overwhelmed) at flipping anything, which I normally would not do. It is a different situation of course, but I still remember how surprising that factor was.

[*Beth*]

Innerzone has an excellent point.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Forgive me if I'm remembering incorrectly, but haven't hormones been part of your process? They can really affect ones state of mind. I think back to being pregnant, and even just the fluctuation of levels of various hormones was quite a ride. I'd cry (not sad, just emotionally overwhelmed) at flipping anything, which I normally would not do. It is a different situation of course, but I still remember how surprising that factor was.

I second this. Hormones really mess with you. If you're taking testosterone, that can affect your mood and mindset - I had a steroid shot which is similar but not the same after surgery once and it really affected my mind! Never mind being pregnant- Lots of hormones at play then. HCG, progesterone, estrogen- its a cocktail that influences our brains for sure. So the combo of surgery and healing should be thought about. Rest when you can. You had major surgery! Plus, the trauma of surgery on your body must be considered. It's not been that long. When I had my breast reduction, it took 4 months for me not to be swollen anymore and the scars fade, but at the beginning they were quite prominent and red. I think you should give it more time, unless you have redness and fever and discharge in which case you should probably see the doctor who did your surgery to rule out infection. Are you restricted on lifting things? I was only allowed to carry 8 pounds or less after my reduction.

[fern46]

The surgery you underwent changed the look of your body significantly, correct? I know there have been reports of people who experience mental and emotional issues after those types of procedures. The mind is used to seeing the body one way and then it experiences a type of shock as it tries to integrate the old you with the new you. I know this was something you wanted, but it is still a major change. Also, you're dealing with trauma to the body and hormonal shifts in combination with the mental aspect. It is a lot to process and it may take some time.

You asked how long it will take to get back to the old self. Maybe the question is really how long will it take to find your new self? What you had in the past is gone. It lives in the past. You are in the now. Clinging to it and trying to recreate it can a painful and frustrating experience. The new you may end up being very similar to the old you, but it may help you mentally to be open to a shift as something different may be a better fit now.