Jeremy and Winnebago??

Sounds like you are very well informed so I'll butt out.  I just didn't want you to have to suffer needlessly.  I'll send some good ju-ju your way so that you feel better soon.

Not a big deal, GlitterGal.  It's OK and I don't mind answering your questions.  There must be others here that have had these decisions to make which is why I posted.

I'm not sure what to do at this point.  It's a PITA to be off it.  I've went off Cymbalta cold-turkey and that is AWFUL!  I was non-functional for 2 weeks.  This isn't as bad because I'm coming down in stages.

It's a toss of the dice.  Do I take the chance that everything runs OK in surgery and I won't have to be off it or do I prepare for the worst and hope for the best?  I took the latter because it's my nature.

Winne, Effexor is one of the toughest to go off of, I wouldn't want to try it without a doctor's supervision.  Been there, done that.  I am our lady of all depression meds-if they make it, I've been on it.

My suggestion is that you work with a doctor to get on a program that will work with your surgery-if you needed the med before surgery, you will most likely need it after.  In fact, when you have to "give up food" (you won't have to give up food, but you will give up quantity and for awhile it will seem that way), you might need the assistance even more.

I've had to loosen up my band in order to be able to swallow my big old giant Prozac cause the liquid stuff aint for me.  Yeah, it's just one more thing to adjust, but overall, it's so worth it.  I have a smaller BUTT and lovely sparkling personality.  (Ok, that's a reach but it sounded good). 

I took Effexor XR before and it is AWFUL to get off of.  I really think you should discuss this with Doc and not medicate or take yourself off on your own.  That could be dangerous as well!!!  Call your Doc???  I'm thinking he won't make any changes on that and just change your med to something similar after surgery that isn't time release.  That's what he did for me.

Just so everyone knows, I have been coming off my medication with the help of my PCP.  I am NOT doing this on my own.  Effexor XR has no generic since it's a time release and relatively new.  Effexor (non-XR) has a generic called venlafaxine.  It's just not time release. 

I know Dr. Walton wants us to be off of as many meds as we can before surgery but this is one I don't think I can be without for any length of time.

Winnebago,

I just wanted to chime in and say I wish you the best in your endeavor, though I know you are going to do awesome and not have needed to do this.