Question:
Will I be able to take my medications post op?

I take many medications right now... I have been on antidepressants for 10 yrs and have just been put on Effexor xr this past year, I went off it at one time and the withdrawls are pure he!!, I spirled down so bad that I ended up in the Hosp. My Dr made me get back on them, much to my dismay, but now I am feeling great, I am told to never go off them again, I am hoping I wont have to quit taking them before or after surgery! Also I have been taking 1mg of xanex 2 X daily for two years and Vicodin for severe lower back pain for the past two years, I am not addicted, even take less than perscribed but can't even get out of bed without them, this is one of my main reasons for having this surgery, to lose the weight, stop taking my pain meds and get healthy! Anyone else been taking these meds and had to stop before or after surgery? Sorry for such a long post, Been wondering about this though, especially my antidepressents and forgot to mention it to my surgeon. Thanks in advance! Renee Advance for any information anyone may have... :) Renee    — Renee D. (posted on March 2, 2001)

March 2, 2001
Hi Renee~ My psychologist wanted me to switch to Paxil 2 weeks before surgery because it is available in liquid. She told me that I would be off of it the day of surgery, but would most likely be back on the liquid Paxil on day 2, post-op. Hope this helps.
   — Laurie L.

March 2, 2001
I'm going for RNY, and my surgeon said after two days, I'd be able to take my hormone tablets and paxil. He said there'd be no problem. However, I've seen it posted that Effexor is rough on the new pouch. Also, the pills are larger.
   — Amy K.

March 2, 2001
Your meds may have to be adjusted to cover your malabsorption, but the two you mentioned seemed to be common among us. Or change you to the NON-timed release version. Vicodin is not a pouch irritant. Just work with your docs on these and they should be able to ease you in/on/off/back on just fine. Some have a bit of trouble with pills at first and have to split or crush, but in the long run, if pills fit into your intestine before surgery, they will after you are healed.
   — vitalady

March 2, 2001
Did you know that xanax is synthetic valium? It is highly addictive and its effect on us is first of all, lowers our inhibitions. I know, I was addicted to it. Secondly, ask your surgeon the size of the hole he creates FROM your new stomach TO your intestine. Mine is, as he says, "the size of an M&M." Now, I assume he means the candy coated chocolate M&Ms and not the peanut M&Ms which are, of course, larger -being a candy connoisure,I know this. LOL So, small pills are no problem for me, but I won't take those horse-pills. Best wishes. P.S. It is absolute MANDATORY that you tell your surgeon AND YOUR ANESTHESIOLOGIST every single medicine you have been taking regularly, including herbal remedies and vitamins. Some have adverse effects on the anesthesia if they aren't aware of them.
   — Cindy H.

March 3, 2001
Renee, Getting off of Effexor can be "pure he!!" as you described; been there, done that myself! It takes a very good psychiatrist who knows how to wean patients off of it. It's not impossible to get off of it - it basically involved gradually increasing the time period between doses - it can take a month or more to get off of it. Effexor never really did any good for me - I was glad to get off of it. One thing you mentioned was that you were taking Effexor XR; I believe that is the "extended release" (time release) formula. With RNY you cannont take time release meds - they won't be effective for you. You will need to discuss this with your doc. As for the xanax, you can take it sublingually. Place the pill under your tongue and let it gradually disolve. It works much faster, and I imagine that way of administering it will be more effective after RNY also, because it will all get to your blood stream. (Taking it this way, it is absorbed by your mouth tissues and goes directly into your blood stream. It tastes nasty, but if you need the relief of the xanax, chances are you'll learn to tolerate it well.) The bottome line is that you need to discuss these meds with your surgeon so he is well aware of your medical history. Also, for my two cents worth, if you are getting these meds from a general practioner, PLEASE consider seeing a psychiatrist, who has special training in psychotropic drugs and will be much better able to work with you on them.
   — BethVBG

March 3, 2001
I never missed a dose of medication. I took a pill the morning of surgery with a small amount of water (under the direction of my surgeon, of course). The day after surgery, I was taking my pill as usual.
   — Gina E.