Antidepressants

I have heard different people talk about taking antidepressants after surgery.  I have never been really depressed to the point of needing meds. I do sometimes get depressed but doesn't everyone? So my question is I am getting ready to take away my one and only Antidepressant (food) how many of you took Meds after surgery?  I have heard it really helps you get through that first stage of depression after surgery. Any thoughts?  Thanks  Robin

Dr Cacucci started me on Lexapro pretty soon after my surgery (I think I was 3 weeks post op) after my ulcer/hospitalization. It gave me the worst mood swings and stuff ever, that was the first time I've ever taken an anti-depressant ever and I think it may have just been too strong to start off with. In December when I was hospitalized again she gave me Elavil which is a mild tricyclic antidepressant for me being down and it also treats esophageal spasms and can help with chronic pain. The nurse told me Dr. Inman and Dr. Evanson use Elavil for pain and stuff. IDK but thats what she said.

I think Dr. Inman starts just about everyone on one after surgery, to help with the emotions. She was going to start me on lexapro, but I was already on zoloft, so she just left it alone.

I know this might sound a little nutty but I am seriously beginning to believe that there are more people ON antidepressants than people who aren't. I form that opinion from being on a different message board than this one and antidepressants were very commonly discussed..very blase..common..like hey what do you take? ..Well I take this.. my point...is that more than likely..and I could  be wrong...you'll get very few responses probably from people that are totally new to antidepressants...it'll be interesting to see. I was put on Lexapro and frankly I don't know if it did any good or not..I didn't have any real emotional problems the first year..my "meltdown" came along about 2nd  to 3rd yr out. I was having trouble coping with how do I fit in this world now? I'm not a thin normal person...but yet I'm not the heavy person I once was..so who am I and what do I do with myself..THAT in my opinion has been the hardest part about this whole surgery..everyone is different though! By the 2nd to 3rd year I had stopped the lexapro..I was put on prozac..didn't do anything for me really..I was actually hoping for some weight loss..I've been told that you can lose weight from being on it. I am now on effexot XR and I seem to be having good results..my emotions have leveled out..BUT part of that is no longer being at a job I detested and being around a person who didn't like me..once I finally walked away from that situation and found a new great job with wonderful nuturing people...it's made all the difference in the world! Sorry for  the rambling..I do want to say if you've never truly experienced TRUE deep depression..consider yourself blessed! I guess what you describe as everyone gets depressed would be classified as  the blues? True depression is horrifying and if there is any way for you to avoid it..do it. My .02 cents