I have had a few posts over the last few months in regards to my SLOW weight loss. I was perplexed how I could be eating almost perfectly, working out, etc. and simply NOT losing weight.

Well, the reason really was my Effexor. After tons of research I found out that A LOT of women like myself who gained weight while on Bi-Polar, Depression/Anxiety meds - simply cannot lose it while on the meds.

I got off about 2 weeks ago and now the scale is moving again. Not one Dr. can explain why this drug makes it impossible to lose weight while doign everything right - but its a fact. I was on the meds for years and now that I'm off - I feel terrific!

I am seeing a holistic dr as well and we are tring to treat the symptoms of bi-polar naturally.

Also found out that I am pre-diabetic which can cause you to get fat too and so we are working on that as well.

Just thought I would give everyone an update.

Here are some recent pics:

I'm on the left -

me and son below

I went off cold turkey and I had no side effects...I think however you are supposed to do a step down dosing and would recommend that. Like I said I lost 30 lbs after a year of dieting on the anti depressant I go off and get the band and am down 27 in three weeks...that's enough of a trial for me

What about Wellbutrin? I take Wellbutrin. Should I ask my surgeon (Dr. Curry) about not taking it once I'm banded?

I have been on psych meds for the past 13 years. I am not bi-polar but I have Major Depression, OCD and anxiety disorder. Paxil was the first med I went on when I was 19 years old. I blew up like a blimp and have never been able to get off the weight.

However, since I have been taking a cocktail of Wellbutrin XL and Celexa, I am not gaining and have maintained my fat self for two years.

I have tried going off medication before (against the wishes of my MD) but I end up having sever axiety and depression. It just doesn't work for me.

I wish you all the best of luck and I hope to banded sometime soon!

A couple years ago when I was going through the empty nest thing and crying all the time, gaining weight... menopause... who knows... my gyn prescribed effexor and he told me that it would help with my weight - I didn't lose any weight but I only stayed on it for about 6 months. I lost all sexual desire being on it and that was far worse then the crying. LOL