Question:
Does being on antidepressants effect how much weight you lose w/RNY?

I am bipolar and need to know if I will have great success with rny if I stay on my meds-prozac,lithium,depakote and risperdal. My surgeon could not give me a definite answer and my psychiatrist does not know enough about this surgery to answer my question. I would hate to go through all this to only lose only a small percentage of the 130 pounds I need to lose. Thanks for all answers in advance. Jessica Dewey lap rny 1/12/01    — Jessica D. (posted on December 21, 2000)

December 21, 2000
If your surgeon has a comprehensive program, you should go through a psych eval with a psychiatrist who is intimately familiar with your condition, medications & WLS. I am on PAXIL & have no plans to come off it. Best of Luck!
   — Lisa B.

December 22, 2000
Jessica, I too am BiPolar and am on the exact same class of drugs as you are. I have great news for you. I was on 60 mg of Remeron (antidepressant) before I had my surgery. I gradually lowered the dose and now only take 15 mgs of Remeron. I take the same amount of Lithium, but have also lowered the dosage of Seroquel (similar to Risperdal which I used to take and gained tons of weight on.) But I guess your question wasn' about lowering your med dosage, but about weight loss. I don't think the meds have hindered my weight loss in any way. But the less I weigh, the less medication I need. I say don't let this get to you. I think you will do wonderfully. If you ever want to chat, as it seems we have a few things in common, you can email me at [email protected].
   — Jonna B.

December 22, 2000
Jessica, I went on Zoloft for post partum depression after the birth of my son 2 1/2 years ago. While on it, I gained a ton of weight, up from 208 to 250, in a matter of weeks. I was NOT able to lose any of the weight and eventually had WLS. Well, after surgery, I had some female problems that required me to be on Lupron, which is a nasty drug that causes a chemical menopause. From being on it, I became a screaming Mimi and felt as though I was losing it. I went back on the Zoloft and have been fortunate enough to have not gained any weight this time around. I feel that the reason is in part to my surgery. Good Luck to you...Hugs~
   — Marni

December 22, 2000
For the past ten years I have been on anti-depressants. Now I am on both remeron and prozac. I did take my medications up to the day of the surgery, the day after surgery, and ever since. I had surgery on 6/6/00 and have now lost 105 pounds. I have had to work really hard at it...excercising almost everyday, and really trying to watch my eating and drinking. You can do it! I had the same worries before my surgery.
   — twenc