Pausing MJ before surgery
I have an appointment with my anesthesiologist next week, so I will be discussing this with them and following their medical advice. I’m not looking for medical advice here - more for personal experiences, reassurance, and things I may not have thought of.
I’ve been on Mounjaro for about 7 months. My highest dose was 6 mg. My last dose was May 2, so it has been a little over 2 weeks since my last injection. I was traveling during that time, so I didn’t inject while away.
I’m now back home and have a laparoscopic surgery scheduled for June 10, which is about 3 weeks from now. According to Shotsy, my estimated medication level is currently around 1.47 mg.
I’m almost at my goal weight, so my instinct is to stay off Mounjaro until after surgery, especially because my levels are already quite low. My main concern with restarting now is not the medication level on surgery day, but whether even a low dose could trigger side effects again - nausea, constipation, reflux, delayed gastric emptying, etc. - and complicate anything before anesthesia.
The only alternative I’m considering is taking one low dose of 2.5 mg this week, then stopping again until after surgery. I would not continue weekly injections before surgery.
For context:
SW: 75 kg / 165 lb
CW: 57 kg / 125 lb
Height: 163 cm / 5’4”
I didn’t lose or gain weight while traveling, but eating was irregular and a bit “weird,” so I’m not sure yet what my appetite will be like now that I’m back to my normal routine.
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who had surgery while on Mounjaro/tirzepatide or who paused and restarted around surgery. Did you stay off completely? Did you take one last low dose weeks before? Did restarting after a pause bring back side effects for you?
Again, I’ll be asking my anesthesiologist next week and following their guidance — I’m just trying to think this through before the appointment.