Question:
Anyone else taking hormone, thyroid & anti-depressants?

I am 4 wks post-op (RNY proximal) & this past week I started taking my meds again. This is the first week I have had no weight loss. I am devastated. Someone said my wt. loss will be slow because of taking the meds. Now I want to quit taking them just to make sure I lose weight. Anyone else have the same problem?    — Betty Todd (posted on February 7, 2001)

February 7, 2001
Hi, Betty. Frist of all, RELAX. I know how you feel, but PLEASE do not stop taking your meds, unless your physician tells you to. I have been on high-dose steroids for severe asthma now for about the past 7 years. In fact, I had been "normal-sized" until I had to start taking them. I gained about 120 pounds within the first year, but I ended up in the hospital every time I tried to stop taking them. I finally got sick of the weight and had my Lap RNY 8 weeks ago. I am still on the steroids and yet I'm still losing weight. It is not as fast, and I do have plateaus, (several already) but I've lost 30 pounds. NO, it's not as fast as I would like, but this is not a "miracle cure" either! You are only four weeks out! Many people have plateaus, even that early. I've communicated with many people on this site who have had plateaus who don't take the medications. Anyway, sorry for the rambling, but the meds you are on are for some serious stuff, please talk to your PCP and surgeon before stopping the meds. You probably would have hit a plateau without them anyway. Good luck, and please don't worry.
   — Maria H.

February 8, 2001
Betty: the plateau is coincidental to your beginning the meds, I'm sure. Many, many of us have weight loss plateaus and we have them frequently. Your body thinks you are starving it so it gives up some weight, then holds on a while, then gives up some more, etc. etc. I've had plateaus last 3 to 4 weeks, but I've lost 100# in ten months and am near goal weight now. I take hormone patch medication. Don't worry.
   — Cindy H.

February 8, 2001
Frankly, I'm shocked that your MD would let you wait 4 weeks to resume your thyroid medicine. It's a wonder you have lost so much weight without it, since it controls metabolic rate. It's also involved in healing, infection resistance, mood, bowel regularity--you name it! Estrogen and antidepressants can make you hold a bit of water weight, but that's all it is; very few antidepressants encourage weight gain--most do the opposite. The female hormones will help you keep skin tone and youthfulness, so you'll want those, too. But in any case, it is foolish to risk your health and mental well-being to simply speed up weight loss. I'm surprised you would consider it. Don't worry, you'll get there! You want to be healthy when you do, right? ....And if everything they say is true, it will seem very fast in retrospect, a year from now.--Jesse, who takes a well-known fattening med for seizures, and wouldn't dream of stopping on her own. Lap DS 1/23--down 20lbs and counting.
   — Jesse M.

February 14, 2001
I am on antidepressants and thyroid medicines also. I am 3 months post-op and I have lost only 55pds. I think my weight loss is alittle slow, but I also know that my metabolism is shot. I have realized that my medication is not working like it did before. I would advise to you to keep taking your medicines. And if your weight is alittle slow in coming off just remember that it will.
   — Antoinette P.

February 16, 2001
HI BETTY I HAVE HYPOTHYROID I HAD MY SURGERY DONE IN AUGUST OF 2000.IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS FOR ME AND I HAVE LOST 41POUNDS.IT IS SLOW BUT I LOOK AT IT THIS WAY IT IS GONE FOR GOOD.SO KEEP YOUR CHIN UP WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!!! YOUR NEW FRIEND JENNY
   — jenny S.