Loosing weight and taking prescribed antidepressants

[thorntn 0]

HI, I had my surgery in 2007. I had already been taking antidepressants for over ten years as well as anti-anxiety medication. At 5ft 1inch and 105 kg i had the operation as I had several deadly medical conditions as well as being obese.

Despite my best efforts all I could loose was 25kg. In the years since I have put back 10 of that 25kg lost. The trouble is I am hungry all the time.

My surgeon told me that the weight loss for patients on anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications seemed to be a lot less than other patients and he put this down to the fact that the medications are known to increase appetite.

Has anyone had a similar experience or have you managed to loose quite a lot of weight while on these medications?

It's a sad thig to pay a lot of money for the surgery and to loose only half of what i should have lost.

Edited November 3, 2014 by thorntn

[Jonathan Blue 311]

I have not had a lot of experience with the anti-anxiety meds though I do know they are known for increasing appetite. I am sorry this is happening. I can only say stay strong and keep working through it. The fact you recognize that there is an issue and you are taking steps to figure it out says a lot about you. I know you will find a way to make things work. If there is anything I can do to be of help, please contact me at one of the links below. I just want to see you succeed.

[ladypoohbear 123]

I lost 130 lbs. And im on a depression medication. Im never hungry.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I'm on an antidepressant and mood stabilizer and I've lost at an incredible weight. If the anxiety drugs are doing it, maybe you could try switching. But, you should also consider working with a NUT, looking at exactly what you are eating and when and try to get back to the basics if you have areas where you're not following the plan so good.

[Chelly 364]

I'm on three anti depressants and I lost all my weight from surgery and am maintaining it.

I think you need to talk to your nutritionist to chart what you are eating and if they can help you get back to the basics again.

Maybe you should talk to your psychiatrist about your meds and maybe they can be adjusted to help you.

Best wishes and good luck on a fresh start.

[Mbstas 57]

I am also on two antidepressants and have lost over 100 pounds. It can be done.

[fabboo 2]

Ditto for me as well!!

[ShrinkingWaterlily 1]

I've not experienced this. I plan to reach goal by December and will be a normal bmi. I think it's doable.!

[onikenbai 33]

I am in the "meds are getting in the way" boat with you. I actually stopped taking my amitriptyline a few weeks ago and I lost 10lbs in 3 weeks after not losing anything for ages, and have had to fight to lose a chunk of weight I suddenly gained as a reaction to another drug I tried out earlier this year. I have a truckload of other issues that are getting in the way, but yes, meds can be a problem. Especially as meds can cause hunger. Concentrate on upping your Protein, and not in the form of shakes, but actual meat or other solids that sit in your stomach and keep you full.

The surgery isn't a waste. If you hadn't done it, you would have likely continued to spiral out of control and gained and gained. That's more why I did it. I have a chronic medical condition which makes every movement painful and the RNY is a tool to for me to help me control my weight and appetite. Like me, you just have to try that much harder because there are additional obstacles in your way other than the weight. But it's probably easier with the bypass than without. Glass half full sort of thing.