Wellbutrin XL
We do not absorb extended release meds fully. We'll absorb some but not all of it. The issue is that they are designed to be absorbed slowly, usually over a 24 hours period. Our digestive system is now shorter than normal and the pill will not remain in our system that long.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
There is no alternative for Wellbutrin. Yes there are other meds, but none exactly the same. I was taking the xl prior to surgery and the manufacturer makes a sustained released as well, SR. I was switched to the SR and now take two small doses per day instead of one high dose in order to help as much as possible. So far, 8 weeks post op, I am great no issues so far. True we don't absorb all of it, but I prefer to stay with this med, it works well for me.
Starting weight: 334 lbs.Starting opti weight: 323 lbs, Surgery weight 303 lbs.Surgery-May 21st, 2013 with Dr Hagen at HRRH Goal weight 165 lbs reached at 13 months. Current weight 156 lbs
You may be absorbing enough of it for it to work for you. For the first couple years after surgery, I took Effexor XR (both my surgeon and my psychiatrist thought I would absorb it well enough) and it seemed to be working. I was on a pretty big dose, though. After a couple years, though, I felt like it wasn't working well enough and switched to the regular Effexor and it seemed to work better. If the SR or XR version works for you, though, then I'd stick with it. You're absolutely right, other antidepressants may be similar but they aren't exactly the same and for whatever reason, one might help you a lot and another might not do anything. Plus other drugs might have troublesome side effects for you.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Really? I will check again with my pharmacy, the only brands they had a few weeks ago were XL and SR. Thanks for sharing 
Starting weight: 334 lbs.Starting opti weight: 323 lbs, Surgery weight 303 lbs.Surgery-May 21st, 2013 with Dr Hagen at HRRH Goal weight 165 lbs reached at 13 months. Current weight 156 lbs
