Question:
Is anyone taking Lipitor for High Cholesterol post-op?

My Dad had RNY in Aug. He was put on Lipitor by his PCP. He was taken off of it before the surgery (by the surgeon) and was never put back on it. His cholesterol was around 140 and now it is back up to 230. All I would like to know is if anyone out there who has had RNY is on Lipitor. Thank you!    — cdiss (posted on November 4, 2002)

November 4, 2002
I'm not yet, but probably will be later this month. My pre-op cholesterol was in the upper 400's and low 500's. It has dropped to 250 (at the seven month mark) but that is still too high. I have a family history of high cholesterol and heart disease, so my PCP is re-doing my labs later this month. If it still over 200, I have to start Lipitor. She feels there is no way I'm eating enough fat to contribute to this and that considering my family history, that will be the safest thing for me if it does not drop any more. My good numbers are REALLY good (always have been) but my bad numbers are always bad. I was hoping my ranges would go back to normal post op, but this is one thing that is pretty much out of my control. If your dad's cholesterol levels are still high he may just have a genetic predisposition to it and it's out of his hands. He should give it until the 6 or 9 month mark though. The numbers won't drop overnight. There is more than one med to control his cholesterol so his surgeon and PCP should work together to find the best choice that will work with his surgery.
   — Tina P.

November 4, 2002
I'm just wondering.....why was he put on Lipitor for only having a cholesterol of 140? Most everyone's cholesterol goes WAY down after surgery, so I wonder why it's up so high now?
   — Lynette B.

November 4, 2002
I am on Zocor, similar to Lipitor. I was off of it for the week of surgery and 10 days postop. Then I was told to resume it because I could have "rebound". Guess after you lose 100# or so they trial you without the meds. I imagine his chol was 14o because he was on the Lipitor.
   — Dana S.

November 5, 2002
Why was he taking Lipitor if his cholesterol was already low? Mine was 282 before surgery. The medication wasn't helping it go down. I stopped taking it just before surgery. 6 mos post op, I had my cholesterol checked and it was 156. The medication couldn't even do that for me. I'm in normal range and medication free.
   — Goldilauxx B.

November 5, 2002
Thank you for your answers. His cholesterol was low because he had been on lipitor for awhile. It was high before and that was why he was put on it. His pcp was not sure why his cholesterol had gone up because he is not eating a diet high in fat so I was just curious if anyone out there had experienced the same thing. Thanks.
   — cdiss