Question:
Anyone on prozac before Surgery?
My doctor just prescribed prozac for my depression due from my pain from being so overweight. I am wondering if anyone has had this drug pre and post op ,and how you are doing on it? Any complications, suggestions, your response will be very much appreciated. — Cheryl W. (posted on February 9, 2000)
February 9, 2000
I love my prozac!!! I have been taking it for years. Both for pain and
depression. I took 4 every morning before surgery and am now taking 2
every day 17 months post op.
— Vicki Z.
February 9, 2000
I am on quite a large dose (60mg) and surgeon says it is not a problem. I
will take it up until surgery. Probably resume not longer than a week
after surgery. Friend that uses this and had WLS said the capsule is not
too big for us. She takes 2 at a time. I am a different person with these
wonderful SSRI's.
— Shar /.
February 9, 2000
Hi Cheryl,
I had a problem taking Prozac post-op.It made me sick to my stomach. I now
take Paxil and it's great.
Good luck & Good health
— Juli T.
February 9, 2000
You can get Prozac in a liquid form. You might want to ask the doctor that
prescribed the Prozac if you can have a prescription for the liquid to use
during your first few weeks post-op. It would probably go down easier and
be less irritating to your pouch while it is healing. Good Luck!
— Lynn K.
November 16, 2000
I can't answer your question about post surgery as I have not yet the WLS
surgery but I can tell you that I have been on Prozac for 4 years now and
am having no problems with it. I think because Prozac is the grand-daddy
of antidepression drugs, and because it used to be only the
"crazys" that were on it, it got a bad rap. I was on Paxil for
awhile but it didn't do much and it helped me to gain weight which is
something that I can do on my own..thank you, I don't need meds to help me
along. I think you should do good with the Prozac, just remember it takes
awhile to start working, which I am sure your doctor told you. If you don't
see any results in a month or so, let your doctor know. Good luck
— Patricia L.
November 16, 2000
I have taken Prozac for 8 years. I am now taking 80mg a day. The thing I
like about Prozac is that it doesn't feel like I'm on something. Although,
when I quit taking it, I can tell the difference. Prozac usually takes
about 4 to 6 weeks to reach full effectiveness so you may need a bit of
patience waiting for it to "kick in." After my surgery I took my
Prozac by removing the powder from the capsules the first six weeks while
my pouch was healing. I mixed the powder with yogurt, applesauce, grape
juice or Instant Breakfast. Regardless, it tasted really nasty. I would
definitely recommend getting a script for the liquid Prozac, but if you
live in a rural area you will probably need to contact your pharmacist is
advance to make sure that it will be available.
— Nanette T.
December 21, 2000
Every growing pain hurts, sometimes the psychological ones hurt the worse.
If you are taking an SSRI, consult your prescribing physician before you
make any changes in dosing. The brain chemical problem you are treating
with your meds cannot be treated by WLS, they are connected in the whole
scheme of things, but not by your stomach!
I must say that I also work I work in Mental Health and there is no reason
for any person to get to the depths of depression, it's not normal and
there are medications available to treat it that could be right for you.
See your physician or a community health psychiatrist for treatment and a
referral for therapeutic counseling.
— Elaine P.
December 21, 2000
I have been on 20 mg for about 4 years now- and I can honestly say, it
makes me "normal".... I was off it for about 3 weeks during
recovery- I probably should have looked into the liquid form, but as soon
as I could start swallowing pills again, I was back on it.
PS- My depression is caused by my condition, which is PCOS.
— Karen R.
January 26, 2003
Cheryl, Although I am still preop, I started on prozac two years ago. after
taking it for about two months- i felt emotionally numb so i decreased my
dosage- i just never felt right taking it at all! But now i'm taking paxil
and i'm doing great. I don't know if another medication made that happen or
what- just my experience :D good luck!
— Deanna H.
May 14, 2005
Hi, I have been on and off Prozac for years, and have never had
complications from it. I can't say about post op, but hopefully I will know
soon. Good luck.
— spiritprism
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