I go Monday. I never thought of this question until now. I take a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. I'm kinda having a freak out about all that can go wrong. From your experience or thoughts, can the sleeve effect the absorption and efficacy of the meds?

Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I can't talk to my team until Monday. I will ask them then.

Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I'm bipolar too. To be honest, I'm not sure. As far as digesting the meds, with the sleeve you still have a normal tract. Everything works the same. My dr and i aren't changing my meds for a while. My body's hormones and systems are all changing, so it's hard to see what is from what. I am checking in with my med dr once a month and she's checking in with my counselor. Just keep your support system right be hind you and take it day by day.

Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

I am bipolar and a month out from surgery, I chose the sleeve partially because I was worried about absorption issues with bypass. So far no issues, no issues with cycling. I did have to argue a. bit with the nurse at the hospital that I had to take my message. Called the doc and he agreed and they gave it to me. I never had an issue with taking the pills either

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using the BariatricPal App

Thank you. After 20 some years of being untreated, I finally had the courage to get dx this year

I just don't want to go back there.

Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

I so understand that. Anytime you need to talk about it am here. One of my biggest fears going into this was maintaining my stability. I worked too hard to get there to fall apart again. So far that has not been the case

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using the BariatricPal App

I'm 6 weeks post op and was taking Wellbutrin for depression. I quit taking it though because all meds have to be crushed and I could not stomach crushed pills. I have an appt on Friday to see about maybe a pill that has capsules I could open up and put in applesauce or something.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

By 6wks you should be able to swallow pills whole, I do it one pill at a time...I'm 7wks out.

Sent from my XT1650 using the BariatricPal App

Hi - I take Lamictal, and when I found out that my nurse wouldn't give it to me the night I was in the hospital I freaked out. My mom and husband tried to talk to her - it wasn't her, but my surgeon. I take Xanax as well as 2 antidepressants and 1 sleep med. Nurse asked for Ativan since it can be given IV. He came back and offered benadryl...... it was a bad situation - I don't say this to scare you, but to share so you can cross that bridge up front. The preoperative nurse said they'd have all my meds for me, so I thought I was fine. Please ask your team - it was a rough night, as I'm sure you can imagine.

The good news!!!! I'm 4 days post op, can swallow meds (some have to be cut, and very very spaced out) and I think they fill my little stomach up as I'm struggling with protein/calories. But my mental health is fine, just the same as it was before surgery so don't worry. I also worked hard to be mentally stable, the meds are part of my weight gain, but I am good post op so wanted to share and reassure you.

Please just ask about your overnight hospital stay ❤????

Sent from my SM-T550 using the BariatricPal App

I take anti-depressants for depression. My surgeon said I could swallow anything the size of a pencil eraser or smaller. Ask your pharmacist if you can cut your pill(s) in half and file down any sharp edges.

Sent from my SPH-D710VMUB using the BariatricPal App

I'm not sure how to add a photo, but GNC makes a cutter and crusher in one that's helped me a lot

I have continued to take my Lamictal, Celexa and tramadol from day 1 without incident. Moods did not change. I crushed 1 day and hated it so took whole from day 2

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

I have continued to take my Lamictal, Celexa and tramadol from day 1 without incident. Moods did not change. I crushed 1 day and hated it so took whole from day 2

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Is that all you take? Do you find you're very full after the meds? I take 15 pills, I think it's preventing me from getting other stuff in.

As for the medication absorption question, that is one of the first questions I asked my surgeon when I was trying to decide between bypass and sleeve. His response was that that is one of the benefits of the sleeve - there should be no absorption issues when it comes to meds.

If your tablet is small, you shouldn't have any problems taking it whole immediately after surgery. Only large tablets need to be cut or crushed. However, if you are taking an extended release drug, DO NOT CUT OR CRUSH IT! Instead of getting a slow release of the drug into your system throughout the day you would have immediate dumping of the entire dose into your system at once. If you aren't sure if your meds are extended release or not please check with your doctor.

Many people (especially women) go through a hormone dumping phase with rapid weight loss (estrogen is stored in fat cells, when you break down the fat cells the estrogen is released). Not sure if this would affect the effectiveness of any of your meds but it might be worth asking your doctor about.

I have continued to take my Lamictal, Celexa and tramadol from day 1 without incident. Moods did not change. I crushed 1 day and hated it so took whole from day 2

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Is that all you take? Do you find you're very full after the meds? I take 15 pills, I think it's preventing me from getting other stuff in.

My Lamictal is #1 for me. Then Celexa. I have other meds but I can spread them out during the day. I take my Lamictal 1st thing in the morning with 1 swallow of water. Now that I am 8 months out I can take all my meds with 2.5 Oz water. It fills me to the brim but that's what I do. My mental health is #1. My blood pressure medicine is after because if my mental health is out of control my BP will be up too. I have lost 75# and I no longer have to take BP meds

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

I have continued to take my Lamictal, Celexa and tramadol from day 1 without incident. Moods did not change. I crushed 1 day and hated it so took whole from day 2

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Is that all you take? Do you find you're very full after the meds? I take 15 pills, I think it's preventing me from getting other stuff in.

My Lamictal is #1 for me. Then Celexa. I have other meds but I can spread them out during the day. I take my Lamictal 1st thing in the morning with 1 swallow of Water. Now that I am 8 months out I can take all my meds with 2.5 Oz water. It fills me to the brim but that's what I do. My mental health is #1. My blood pressure medicine is after because if my mental health is out of control my BP will be up too. I have lost 75# and I no longer have to take BP meds

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

That's great! Congrats on getting off the bp meds.