Bipolar Medications, Hormonal Changes and Gastric Bypass

Hey all. I just joined this site and this is my very first post. I've read through a lot of the forums on here and other sites in the past few months, but I still have a few questions myself. 

First thing is first, I am at least four months pre-op RNY. I have bipolar disorder and I am on a daily regimen of Lithium Er (Mood Stabilizer) and Risperdol (Atypical Anti-Psychotic). As you can imagine, I am currently in the process of switching to immediate release lithium, in order to smooth the transition after surgery. 

On my current doses of each medication I am completely stable and quite content in my life, besides of course the morbid obesity issue. Anyway, I am concerned about the hormonal changes that take place after surgery and how they will affect my mood. I've read conflicting things, some that moods generally improve after surgery, others that depression often sets in. I am concerned that I will end up feeling less happy than I am now (maybe even depressed). Obviously my goal here is not to end up feeling less happy with my life. Does anyone have any personal experience or general insight? I would greatly appreciate any input, especially if you have had WLS while on psychotropic medications.

Thanks for reading!

Welcome to the site!! I am also approx 1.5 mth pre-op, and although I do not have bipolar, I do have major depression. I've been on paxil for 14 yrs now. There are days I need a higher dosage, I think because I am a new empty nester. My surgeon and my pcp have both told me my medication is available in liquid, which is lucky for me. I recommend talking with your surgeon as Well as your pcp just to make sure everyone is on board with the meds. Although your medication is working now, doesn't mean it will after. I have done so much research on the RNY and I have never heard about hormonal changes. 

I also recommend staying on this site. It has helped my anxiety about the surgery alot. Everyone on here has been so helpful and they are very kind. Support is what we need the most during this time when our bodies and life style is about to change. I check this site every night before bed. I also get some pretty good protein recipes :)

Good luck and stay strong.

I'm BP2 and and never noticed a change in moods due to the surgery.  Mainly, you just need to see if you have any stomach issues with meds but liquid meds are usually given.  

I'm 6 years out and on Depakote, which are HUGE and I have to take 3 at  a time but they don't make me sick.  My other meds are small.  I've never been given liquid meds at all though.  I think the main factor we have to worry about is getting enough of the meds absorbed before they leave our stomachs.

Hello there I had my RNY done in July 2012 and the one thing I will say is that when you lose a CHUNK of weight fast as I had done it tends to release the hormones rapidly and that's when I would need a change in my meds...I have depression/anxiety and have been on meds for the better part of my life.....just try to pay attention when you're losing large amounts of weight to how you're feeling....tell your support team to keep watch for you also in case you may not notice....I was losing more than 20 pounds a month so by the second or third month I was an emotional mess.....that's when I would go back to my prescribing doctor and he would change them up...I was Effexor when I started this journey and since then I've had 4 or 5 changes in my meds....was just changed again this past Thursday and now I'm on Cipralex Meltz.....I wish you well and keep posting as there are many people on here that are much further out from surgery than myself.....take care

You are smart to be thinking of this and keeping on top of it.  This message is never intended to scare anyone, but to remind you to stay vigilant.  My husband was bipolar and committed suicide 1.5 years after his gastric bypass.  His mental health declined rapidly that first year.  He was taking Tegretol and Risperdal at the time - but obviously not enough post surgery.  There are lots of people w/BPD here who have done just fine after surgery, just make sure to see your psychiatrist regularly.  Good luck :)

I am so sorry for your loss and I am very grateful that you shared this. A reminder to stay vigilant is what I needed to hear. I have BPD and need to hear both the good and the bad to help me through this process. Thank you for sharing.