Depression meds and WLS

[KellyRenae 5]

I’m looking for experiences of people who have needed to be on depression meds and have still been able to maintain weight loss.

I feel best when I am on SSRI meds but the weight gain was always a side effect. I would like to believe that maybe after my surgery this will be a more manageable situation.

Was anyone on meds before surgery and still had success? I imagine it would be slower weight loss?

Thx for any input.

[Lily66 425]

I was put on Cymbalta (duloxetine) following back surgery in early 2019, to help with nerve pain as well as anxiety/depression surrounding the ordeal. It apparently “worked” and got me through. Constipation and weight gain go hand in hand with it though😩, so I started weaning myself a few months ago. Just this week I decided to stop it, completely.

As with anything, it’s totally individual as to the risk/reward of being on something like this. If you feel best on an SSRI, that reward seems like it would be greater than speed of weight loss. You will still lose, you may just need more patience with the scale. Only you and your Dr. can decide. In my case, Dr. said he was all for me going off. I just have to believe it messes with our metabolism, and I don’t trust the drug companies to admit it.🤦‍♀️

Good luck! And be sure to talk with your Dr. on this.💖

Edited May 20, 2020 by Lily66

[New&Improved 1,780]

I just take Zoloft hasn't affected my weight at all...

[DenverGirl88 53]

I’d been on 4-5 different depression medications and anti anxiety meds along with a Xanax for emergencies. I quit them all before my surgery. I’d read a book you might find helpful called Lost Connections by Johann Hari. It talks about how medications for depression seldom work except for a few severe cases. The placebo effect is what people cling to. For me It also to relates to all the weight loss meds I’d tried. It seems like they all work at first but the honeymoon wears off and they don’t really do anything. Our mind is so powerful and really we need to work through it with therapy and not try to medicate. Anyhoo, it’s not for everyone but I realized I didn’t need meds, I needed someone to talk to. It was nice going into surgery without being on any medication whatsoever.

[Lily66 425]

27 minutes ago, DenverGirl88 said:

I’d been on 4-5 different depression medications and anti anxiety meds along with a Xanax for emergencies. I quit them all before my surgery. I’d read a book you might find helpful called Lost Connections by Johann Hari. It talks about how medications for depression seldom work except for a few severe cases. The placebo effect is what people cling to. For me It also to relates to all the weight loss meds I’d tried. It seems like they all work at first but the honeymoon wears off and they don’t really do anything. Our mind is so powerful and really we need to work through it with therapy and not try to medicate. Anyhoo, it’s not for everyone but I realized I didn’t need meds, I needed someone to talk to. It was nice going into surgery without being on any medication whatsoever.

I agree with you that our minds are SO powerful and many times can accomplish what you describe. For some, however, a chemical imbalance may exist for any number of reasons and medication may indeed be called for. I honor any individual dealing with that, trying to seek balance. For some, going off these meds could bring about a very undesirable outcome.

Kudo’s to YOU for exploring and securing what you need and that it’s working!!

Edited May 20, 2020 by Lily66

[NikkiOwl 24]

I was on Effexor Xr for 17 years for generalized anxiety. Went through a tough taper with Ativan to get me through. Yesterday I was prescribed Cymbalta and had a reaction (bp and pulse went high) so now my PCP wants me to try Buspar instead. I am wondering the same as you. Should I try to tough out my anxiety attacks or try yet another medication that may or may not work?

[NikkiOwl 24]

I should also mention I have done therapy for years and the medication was more helpful. Side effects galore though.

[JessLess 1,163]

II have depression/GAD. I can't take SSRIs due to side effects. I take Nefazodone and did take Xanax XR. I had to switch from Xanax XR to regular and I have trouble staying asleep all night. Overall the transition has been fine and has not affected my weight.

This is why I picked Nefazodone over the many more modern options. "Unlike the SSRI antidepressants, nefazodone associated with minimal weight gain and minimal sexual side effects."

@NikkiOwl Buspar just made me sleepy.

Edited May 28, 2020 by JessLess

[MSWDiet 64]

Hi there,

I rarely open this app but I share this experience. Perhaps after so long I was called online by your post? Lol

The short answer is yes you can lose weight and stay on your meds. Your personal experience may differ from that of others but you can still be successful.

Now the long answer:

I'm over ten years post op and I have used a variety of what I call "My personal crazy pills" long before having gastric bypass surgery. I still take a combination of meds today.

Please note that I am not applying my description of my drugs to you. I use this catch all phrase "tongue in cheek" rather go through the list of med cocktails I've had over time.

My weight loss was painfully slow. Everyone does not have that quick pounds off honeymoon period we hear about. This was disheartening because I had no warning.

FOLLOW YOUR PLAN TO THE LETTER! Many meds interfere with weight loss even immediately after surgery. I experienced rapid weight gain within the first two weeks. Fortunately, I had a great surgeon who understood this.

I started as a size 2x in LizClaiborne/ EvanPicone clothing and I've maintained a 2/4 in BananaRepublic/ AnneTaylor sizes. It took me over a year and a half to get there while others lost the same amount of weight in under half that time.

Despite weight changes I have never bought a larger size and I shop with a tape measure to be certain of this. Like most, I have had some regain and re loss but overall I'm keeping the weight off.

I'm a long time user of a variety of meds that could negatively effect anyone's weight loss. Steroids plus a few other daily meds top up "My personal crazy pills". You can do just fine with what my doctor called metabolic challenges.

Keep in mind slow weight loss does not mean you won't have long term success. Permanent weight loss is more important than fast weight loss. Follow your health plan and build physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Avoid comparing yourself to others. You don't know how another's story truly compares to your own.

With commitment you'll be sharing your positive experience with someone else a decade from now. YOU CAN DO THIS!

[JessLess 1,163]

@MSWDiet, your loss is amazing. I went from a 2x to a straight size 14 and am happy with that. I can't imagine wearing a 2/4.

[MSWDiet 64]

[mention=260505]MSWDiet[/mention], your loss is amazing. I went from a 2x to a straight size 14 and am happy with that. I can't imagine wearing a 2/4.

[mention=349400]JessLess[/mention]

Thanks so much! You really made my day.

I'm naturally muscular with small bone structure. Even when morbidly obese I looked smaller than my weight would suggest. Now as I struggle to maintain a "normal" weight, others are surprised at how heavy I am.

[Stella S 612]

You will lose with SSRI. I love the above - slow weight loss does not mean permanent weight loss is not possible. Success looks different for each of us Depression managed is correlated with healthy weights. V