Hello doctor,I am about to have an open inguinal hernia operation after 15 days. I have been having terrible anxiety leading up to it. I went to my PCP today and informed him of this. He prescribed 25 mg of Zoloft for me. I have read that it takes a month for Zoloft to work. Also, I have read that Zoloft can cause bleeding and complicated risk after surgery. I will be under general anesthesia. Is it safer for me to wait and begin taking the Zoloft after the surgery if I need it?
Hi, Welcome to Chat Doctor forum. I would like to know that whether your hernia is the cause of anxiety. If anxiety is the case let me assure you that you have nothing to worry from surgical aspect as hernia repair is not a complicated or major surgery. So, the blood loss should not be worrying if you were only on Zoloft. But would like to know if you are having any other medication. Also, since your BMI indicates you are obese, which might be one of the causes for a hernia. Would like to know some other parameters like your blood pressure and sugars, your cardiac status as indicated by ECG and 2D echo. How is your exercise tolerance? Your coagulation profile, other basic blood reports like CBC. How about laparoscopic hernia repair? Or why not under regional anesthesia? Would also suggest yoga and meditation to relieve your anxiety and stress.  For more information consult an anesthesiologist online 