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Having to undergo surgery can be frightening and the recovery process can be painful.

It can be a difficult experience for just about anyone.

In fact, a 2016 study notes thatdepressionis a frequent complication of surgery that can affect the persons recovery.

Close-up hands of patient recovering on the hospital bed

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This can be emotionally confusing for patients and their loved ones.

Ghoneim MM, O’Hara MW.Depression and postoperative complications: an overview.BMC Surg.

2016;16:5. doi:10.1186/s12893-016-0120-y

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

2016;49(1):e16-e21.

2020;68(12):2814-2821. doi:10.1111/jgs.16781

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?