Less Need For Antidepressant In Post-Ops?

[K33 87]

If you were taking anti depressants pre-op, have you found less need for the medicines post op?

This does not include changes from XR to Regular absorption meds, or a change in your medicine schedule. But, have you felt less depressed after surgery? I know it's possible PO to feel a let down 6-12 months out, and am not really talking about that either. .

I gained 50# in the throws of my depression, probably from carb craving that comes when I am depressed. Yet I was taking medication, too. Hard to get a straight answer from the medical field about to what extent anti depressants provoke weight gain, so I am turning for answers to my VSG buddies.

Naturally you may have guessed I take antidepressant medication pre-op. Not counting the mood lift and feeling the thrill of being thin (which could wear off once the reality day to day of living sets in 2-3 years out), I am hoping to take less anti depressants when I am years out as well.

What is your experience? Does anyone have research sources about this topic?

[skane10 64]

K33, it has been my experience that antidepressants do cause some weight gain but not all of them. Depression can also be a chemical imbalance such as bipolar. Antidepressants help the chemical imbalance in the brain. I can tell you from experience that depression can be present when you are skinny or fat. I suffered for year with untreated depression when I was skinny and finally was diagnosed and put on medication that really helped me. Not sure of any research but I plan on staying on meds with probably the same dose after my VSG. To me it is much better than being depressed. I know this probably didn't answer your question but I feel for you.

[Shilo30 16]

I too was on an antidepressant off and on for several years. Technically am still supposed to be but postoperatively I realized I haven't been taking it.. Bad I know but with all my RX'S from surgery it is kinda last on my list. Anyways my therapist actually told me that excess fat creates its own estrogen hormones thus making it harder to get off the meds while obese. You end up being so overloaded with estrogen it totally throws you off balance. I might not even start taking them again and just see how I feel... I dunno though gotta call the dr ultimately.

[NJsharon 119]

I took anti-depressants pre-op & still take the same doses post-op.

To be honest I am scared to come off them or change any dosage. It works, so not going to mess with it!