MOODS MEDS AND THE BAND

I have found the lap-band a roller coaster with emotions. You also need to wonder if you will be a bl e to swallow your meds. I had to get off of mine.

Rita

still take my meds, one I got permission to break open into my mouth and I am still doing great with it. I was told that during this journey is not the time to go off our meds. There are so many ups and downs with weight loss that you may even need to up your dose.

I had the surgery August 23rd and prior to the surgery I spoke with my doctor about my bipolar medication and the lap band. He told me not to worry.

I am taking my medication like normal no crushing or anything.

Since the surgery I have been in a great mood. I don't weigh myself unless I have an appointment. I don't want to rock my mood boat.

I am on meds for depression and anxiety. My advise to you is do not change anything before surgery. Keep taking them as that doctor prescribed. If any are slow release (XR for example) - talk to your psychiatrist ahead of time about potential ways you can take it (maybe liquid).

Before I had surgery - I had all 'pill' form & I was told to practice taking them with small amounts of water. I broke my pills in half. Once I met with the pharmacist in the hospital - he actually had me breaking them in to 4 very small pieces. I took one piece at a time & waited 15 minutes to take another sip & another piece of my pill. It can be done. Your emotions may be a little rocky. Mine were but I realized I wasn't taking my depression/anxiety meds right away & got on them again. I felt so much better. I am post op day 6 today & I feel like a million bucks. I even had hernia repair. My psych meds are helping me just as much now (post op) as they did pre-op. Don't worry about it - just talk with your pharmacist. Some meds can be changed for liquid. Some you can crush. You have alternatives. Take the time to talk to your surgeon now, pharmacist & psychiatrist. It will alleviate lots of fears if you're prepared.

I take effexor (venlafaxine) for anxiety. I kept taking it up to the day of surgery. I was taking an extended-release capsule, so after surgery they switched me to non XR twice a day. I actually feel it works better because the medication is more even.

Surgery and post-op was very emotional for me, even continuing my medications. I would talk to your surgeon about taking the meds in case they need to change your dosage post-op.

Hi. I'm Bipolar. The reason that I chose the lapband was so I could continue to keep my mental health in check. The malabsorptive issues with the gastric bypass were too severe. Doc said he would have had to increase my meds to the level where FDA had no approved of them, so I chose the lap band.

My moods have continued to be mostly level since surgery. I did have to get my Trileptal and Paxil in liquid form. Before I could get the liquid meds prescribed, I also cut them into 4 pieces, but that wasn't advised for my meds.

Good luck to you!

oh my dr tried to switch my moods to extended release, I said now is not the time to be switchiing my meds, (they helped my brain wind down at night. After 3 days after surgery not able to sleep I called his office and requested my old rx back. You have to be an advocate for yourself sometimes, you know whats best for you. write down questions you have for drs, any thoughts you have. they are only human too, I'm hoping once I lose weight, I won't need as much of that kinds of meds anyways so Im not swelling on that part of it.

Good luck to you,

wow so sorry for all the misspells this am, but you know what I mean!