Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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debsue123 02/10/2012

I just started proceeding with Gastric Bypass and see surgion the first time on Feb 21. I have depression and am already on meds. Does anybody know if the meds will still work well afterward or will they not be absorbed.

deleted_user 02/10/2012

They should work fine, dont set yourself up for having worse depresion afterwards....keep thinking positive thoughts, and God bless!!

Lkorzen 02/10/2012

I am only 10 days post-op, but I was on depression meds for years prior to the surgery and have not noticed any difference at all now that I am post op. I was on an extended release dose, so I am now taking the same dose 3 times a day crushed up until I can go back to the 1 extended release pill per day. Who knows...I might not even need them anymore in 6 months or a year!

minkmoxie 02/10/2012

I deal with depression, etc., and the meds continued to work after surgery. The only thing I had to do was break a couple of them in half so my new pouch would have an easier time absorbing them at first, but that was it. I'm 4 months out and am now back to taking a full dose w/o having to break them up. I found that the best "medication" was to stay focused on why I was having this surgery and maintain a positive attitude about the whole process. I couldn't be happier! Good luck to you - stay in close touch with your therapist and psychiatrist throughout this process!

Lucy

deleted_user 02/10/2012

I've been on 225mg of Effexor since 2009. I was also pretty concerned that I would have problems with it not absorbing after surgery, but I've been totally fine.

I'm 3.5 weeks out of surgery.

deleted_user 02/10/2012

I HAVE BEEN ON DEPRESSION MEDS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I ACTUALLY TAKE THREE DIFFERENT KINDS I AM A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS OUT AND AM DOING GREAT ON THEM CRUSHED UP. I ACTUALLY AM OFF OF ONE OF THEM AND FEEL BETTER EVEN WITH THAT. IT WILL BE FINE. WORK WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

deleted_user 02/10/2012

Yes, I am on meds too, not just for depression, but HBP and high cholesterol, they all work fine.
Like minxmoxie said, I had to break a couple of them and take them a few minutes apart. Medication typically takes about 45 minutes to absorb.
I have had no problems with absorbtion or them not working. My deperssion has gotten better with weight loss, but I am sure that I will never stop taking those particular meds............
Best of luck

deleted_user 02/12/2012

You will, most likely, go thru a whole raft of pre authorization testing prior to being okayed for surgery-and depression is so common that I'm sure you aren't the only one who has gone into this with it.

Be honest with your doctor about your medications and situation. The testing you have will check to see if you can stick to a post op diet primarily so be sure to be positive about that part of your dedication to having surgery.

They may ask you to lose some weight prior to surgery, just to see how dedicated you are..it's not unusual...don't get worked up about it-we all have gone thru this.

Take care of yourself and good luck at the start of your journey

plantcrone

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