Facelift: Q&A
Ask a Question
Anxiety Post Op?
I am 5 weeks post op from my cheek/neck lift. I am having a lot of anxiety. My GP put me on a low dose of xanax 3 weeks ago but it still seems to be there when I try to lower the dose. This also happened to me after a surgery 10 years ago. Strangely it did not happen after a knee surgery 3 years ago. Could this be some sort of reaction to the type of anesthetic used? I don't usually have anxiety. Is this something anybody has seen before? I want to feel like myself again. Thanks!
Tags:
12 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Patient5555
+1
Postoperative anxiety
Anxiety after plastic surgery is not common but certainly does occasionally happen. It is often difficult to tell who will experience this- I have seen very confident patients have postoperative anxiety issues and some patients who are very anxious before surgery sail through without a problem. The good news is that even the most anxious patients I have seen have ended up fine and happy with their surgery and results.
Anti-anxiety medications are very helpful, and...
more
+1
Anxiety after facelift
This can occur to some people after surgery, especially after a facelift. I see you have tried medication and this has helped. perhaps you should try other things. Have you tried working out to get your mind off it? Also, you should begin to socialize and do other activities to free you mind..get well soon.
+1
Anxiety after surgery
Sorry to hear about the anxiety you are experiencing following your procedure. Your anxiety is not likely the result of any anesthetic. I would recommend an evaluation by a board certified psychiatrist to determine the cause of your anxiety, as it should not persist following your initial recovery period. In general, a little bit of anxiousness is not uncommon before and after surgery. For anxiety, I typically give patients one of the following prior to surgery:
1) Valium
2)...
more
Charlotte Facial Plastic Surgeon
You might also like...
Real Stories
FFS? There Are Better Choices - Manchester, GB
I had surgery with Brian Musgrove for the purpose ofFacial Feminisation. I am not very...
+1
Anxiety after an operation is psychological and not related to the anesthetic.
The anesthetic agents used for your surgery were out of your system a day after the operation. Any anxiety you are experiencing now is psychological.
+1
Post-cosmetic surgery anxiety is more common than you realize
Patient5555: Many elective surgery patients experience post-op "blues", even in the absence of complications. Patients don't recognize the reflection in the mirror because of temporary changes: swelling, bruising, early scars, disruption of your regular regimen, etc. Facelift patients are extremely "vulnerable" not only because their results are on full display but also because they may feel sensitive and/or guilty about having initiated a change. Do realize that...
more
+1
Anxiety after Facelift
Plastic surgeons frequently see depression and anxiety after many types of procedures, but, at 5 weeks, you should be feeling better. I would agree with others to see a psychiatrist who will be more familiar with symptoms and diagnoses and will be more familiar with SSRIs, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics.
+1
Anxiety after face lift
Face lifts often create intense anxiety -
our faces are bruised and swollen,
it is hard to believe everything is ok,
surgery is tiring, so it's hard to bounce back
surgery makes us vulnerable - and can revive painful memories. So -
discuss your worries with your plastic surgeon as well as your GP
Wait a full 6 weeks and if no better, consult a mental health expert.
If you're worried about your result - get a second...
more
+1
Prolonged anxiety following a facelift
Some degree of depression or anxiety is not uncommon after any surgery. It is usually short lived. Xanax treats the symptoms of anxiety but not the underlying cause. If you are having difficulty sleeping and performing the tasks of daily living then you may need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. You may need to, at least temporarily, have your medications changed or altered.
+1
Post Op Anxiety
I would encourage you to see a psychopharmacologist. This is a psychiatrist with fellowship expertise in psychoactive drugs. This honestly is a much better resource than your GP who may know one or two drugs. Generally a certain percentage of patients have a mild clinical depression after surgery but it can also be an anxiety disorder or a even some form of psychosis. Whatever the basis for your feelings, even if the episode is short lived, it is unpleasant. Get...
more
+1
Anxiety Post Op?
I have performed Face Lifts for 25 years and honestly, some degree of anxiety and or crying is very common after traditional Face and or Neck Lifts. Most often this occurs during the first month but it can occur later in the post op course. I personally feel this is due to the prolonged bruising, swelling, lumps and bumps associated with these more invasive Face Lifts. I say that because for the past 7-8 years most of my Face Lift patients have opted for a less...
more
+1
Anxiety Postop
Although anxiety postoperatively is fairly normal in the first few days after surgery, this condition generally improves as steps are made in the healing process. However, some patients have a higher baseline anxiety level or indeed an anxiety disorder which require professional treatment by a Psychiatrist. Stressful events such as a surgical procedure can be catalysts for an exacerbation. This is atypical and requires further evaluation.
+1
Mental health care professional
I would recommend you see a mental health care professional. Although, I am sure that your general practitioner has some experience in this area, I would prefer the experience of a specialist for a problem that has lasted this long.
Comments (2)