eyewonder

One of my sons is a pharmacist, and he has told me that a capsule should never be opened, and any "timed release" medication regardless of the form cannot be crushed or opened if a capsule.

If you were to crush a timed release medication, there is a potential for overdose on the medication as you would receive the entire dose at once upon ingestion, instead of a gradual infusion into your system.

Just sharing what I have been advised to do by a licensed professional in the field...your mileage may vary!

I was sick last week - not band related but saw my surgeon as a precaution. Not only was his care better and more thorough than than the ER and my GP, but he also prescribed several medications that I needed. One of them was a very large pill which I was able to swallow whole, with no troubles.
Just to offer my experience....

I wouldn't take a whole large pill while you are first post-op, and still on liquids or mushies. Once I was eating solid food again, I transitioned back to pill tylenol, and I've had no issues. I'm due to have my first fill this week though, and so I'll let you know what happens after that.

i was told after sugery every thing needs to be crushed or lquid form i had alot of my pills truned into lquid form becuse sometimes i get stuck on the pill pices when there not ground up well enough

I was told as long as the pill is the size of a pincel eraser than you can swollow it. But also be careful about crushing up pills because you can't crush up slow release pills.

For my initial post op time, I had my physician change all of the medications which came in a liquid form to the liquid, one script came in a chewable form, and the rest I had to crush. And you are correct, they taste horrible and bitter, even when disguised with apple sauce.

Post op, I can take pills up to 1/4" round with out difficulty, and I have been able to take one which is oblong, about 1/4 x 1/2", but I know once I have a fill, I most likely will not be able to take that one. If a pill is scored, I can usually cut it in half, and then take the pill in 2 swallows.

I was told to never take a capsule apart, and any other medication which is a "timed release" medication cannot be crushed. You will need to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for advice as to which pills have alternative sizes and forms (liquid, chewable, etc.).

Any prescription modifications, I would have on hand prior to your surgery.

I have horrible luck with pills. I avoid taking them... and frankly... it pisses me off. I am suffering from pretty bad allergies this spring and I am afraid to take medication for it. I had a horrible horrible stuck episode on my anti-depressant meds once, and have not taken a pill since.
Everyone is different. I know several bandsters that can take pills with no problem.

I normally just grind mine up then add to a small cup of Water then just drink the medicine

My doc had me continue taking all of my pills as normal post op and I personally have had no issue. I have experienced food getting stuck but never pills. GL!!

I tried crushing and mixing in applesauce, YUK!
I use a pill cuter and cut my larger pills in half, some even in quarters.
I have one capsule that I open and empty on to a spoon of applesauce.
Most can be cut or opened, if it is not scored just ask the pharmacist.

I cut all my pills in half except for the one capsule i was taking. I also took a long time to to get them all down. So my pain meds I cut in half and spent and hour getting them down. One half every 15 minutes or so. Moving slowly has been the key for me. Seems to work. The first day I took my Gummy Calcium it got stuck and I was uncomfortable for 20 min. Then I cut in half and take slowly and I was fine. The capsule was ok too. I also take Vitamin d, colace, pain meds, all without issue. Just space it out. Good luck

I guess it just depends on the individual- I have never had a problem with pills, pb or many problems with good getting stuck. It would depend on how well things are currently going down.
Good luck!!

I know I am new, but when I think about it, how is swallowing pill any different than swallowing a small piece of food? Just curious? I don't see how erosion, band slippage, or any other damaging complications would be caused as long as it is not too big. I could see if the composition of the pill and what is in it might be a problem, but if you can have it crushed or liquified, it obviously is not the chemical make up of the pill that is a problem. I tried one of my pills in Water to see what happens to it and it just dissolves. I guess this is a case where following your doctors orders is key. If you read enough there are so many differences. Not trying to cause trouble, just curious. I'm going to ask my doctor becasue I am curious.

Well yesterday was my big day. My doctor Dr. Lee and his staff at the Southern Minnesota Surgical center Rock!!!!
Went to hospital at 8:30am went back to the OR at 9:40 Was back in my room waking up at 11:00. I seriously had no pain. I did have a bit of shoulder pain from the gas. But my nurse got hotpacks on my shoulder and it was gone in about an hour. at 11;30 I asked to get up and go to the bathroom and take a little walk down the hall. At 1;00 did the same thing I was in the car and home by 3:30. I did have a dose of Loratab elixer before I left the hospital but really no pain.
Today I have a bit of what feels like a sore muscle wear my port is. Been up walking around did dishes and now sitting at my desk.. Thinking about hitting a few garage sales this afternoon.
Just a word of advice I think what helped me was getting up every hour and walking around. And I did take the Loratab every 4 hours. To stay ahead of any pain. They say your second day is the worst. But it really just feels like I did 200 crunches.
My mouth is so dry from the patch behind my ear but that can come off tomorrow when I get to shower.
So excited for my new journey!!

@bbbanded Happy for you being safe and ready to tackle the world. I was wondering the same thing you said about being naked with so many people in the room. I guess we are just another Lapband patient taking the last persons place to them. So they have seen it all.

Sabrina congradulations! and I know you are so happy it is finally done.

Surgery this morning. We got to the hospital about 8:30 this morning. They started getting me prepped for surgery right away. I went in to the OR about 11:15 or so. And was home by 3 pm. My husband and mother were at the hospital with me. I even walk out of the hospital on my own. The gas pain is the worst in my upper chest area. It hurt to take in a deep breath. I have been up and walking around with very little difficulties.

Hey everyone! We are getting banded tomorrow - im at 8:30am et. Im still excited, even though i cheated on pre op and ate shelled no salt peanuts on tuesday. What about you?

5/11/12
Tossed and turned all night, fought with my bf most of the night for not telling me he flew in okay. (Terrified of flying).
Finally slept for maybe 3 hours. Woke up before my alarm and was ready by 530. Woke my mom up at 545, she shouldve been up. Then left the house for 6am. Got to the hosptial right on time at 630 and changed into my gown, nothing but socks and gown .
By 745 my tests had been run my IV was in and I was being wheeled off to the I guess pre operating room. Waiting room I suppose, where I waited for my pregnancy test results to come in..told the anesthesialogist my cycle hadnt come back around since January. This is normal but precaution precaution. I met another anesthesia person and she told me I'd be taking a trip to Hawaii and everyone that went on her trips came back. She put something in my IV and I wanted so bad to ask " What if I'm still nervous?" But by this point I wasn't anymore. By about 830 I was being wheeled off to the operating room. I changed beds and they took my original one away and I was off to Hawaii.
Once I awoke it looked to be about 11 30ish. I heard then say my surgery took 1 hour 45 minutes, they had repaired a hiatal hernia and I was A okay.
Quick note: I was very nervous to be seen naked by however many people, but I was out like a lamp before the gown even moved!
Eventually I was returned to my original room where a girl and her parents were on the other side, did'nt like them any! Mom had left for a few, when she came back a nurse gave me a shot of Dilaudid and the doctor had come to see me. By 1230 I was able to change my clothes and get outta there.
I feel like I slept for two days straight. I was prescribed Percocet, which made me very tired. I was in and out, mostly out all of Friday. I eventually made it from my moms bed to my living room. My room was upstairs, far too far from the bathroom to go up there. And thats where I have been camped since Friday night.
Made a few videos since surgery, found my scale, down 9 lbs. And I'm typing this from work. I've been a bit sore and I'm having a hard time getting rid of the gas but overall I'm just fine! Did my make-up today and everything

Well I survived! I was so nervous and anxious I didn't sleep for about 3 days, but I was officially banded on the 16th. It went very smoothly. I arrived at the surgery center about 7:30 am. I got weighed in at 212.2 lbs, they hooked up my IV and I waited. Finally at about 8:30 the anesthesiologist came in, slipped me a little some thing and before we reached the door I was out! I have absolutely no recollection of any of the events that followed! AWESOMENESS! I woke up about 10 and was home by noon! I have been a little sore, the gas has been the worst part. Other than that doing really well. I am now allowed Protein Shakes, Water, tea, sf Jello, sf Popsicles, and broth for the next 14 days. Hope everyone is doing well! Good luck to those still waiting!

Yes, of course I was scared. All of us are! I feared this was the wrong decision, that I'd fail, that I would die on the operating table, that I was being selfish, that this was not what God wanted me to do, that i would not having food as a crutch, etc. But i weighed the pros and cons. Every year I put off losing the weight was a year I spent regretting it and missing out on life. Of course there are risks and "what if's", but the risk of having diabetes, heart disease, etc is even bigger if someone remains obese. I am only 7 days post op so have a very long way to go, but I am putting it in God's hands and learning to ask for help. So far so good.

I agree with all of the above comments.... I researched the lap-band about 6 years ago and I even consulted with my insurance.. however, I learned that they would not cover any of the surgery... After that, I became very discouraged. I started taking diet pills and trying other diet methods. All with some success,but I usually gained all of the weight back plus some... Last year, my doctor advised me that my weight was contributing to most my illnesses (back and knee pain, high blood pressure, high colesterol) just to name a few... so needless to say, I returned to the yo-yo dieting and I lost some but not enough.. i was just about to start another starvation diet when my assistant mention the lap band... we discussed the insurance process and she informed me that my new insurance would cover most of the surgery cost... i called and varified this...low and behold..it was true... I prayed to God for direction... one week after my consultation... I received an approval letter from Tri-care... Thanking and Trusting God... I know that He wants the best for me...

@momof31oc I loved everything you said, I laughed at this part, "trusting God and knowing he has control and will work all things out for good - even if they don't feel good. The part that says "even if they don't feel good"
You said it exactly right about God not bringing you/us this far, and closing doors if He isn't in it. I so love your wisdom and encouragement. Be Blessed and don't cry anymore. If you cry again let it be tears of Joy.

@momof31oc I loved everything you said, I laughed at this part, "trusting God and knowing he has control and will work all things out for good - even if they don't feel good. The part that says "even if they don't feel good"
You said it exactly right about God not bringing you/us this far, and closing doors if He isn't in it. I so love your wisdom and encouragement. Be Blessed and don't cry anymore. If you cry again let it be tears of Joy.

@momof31oc NEWS FLASH! We see spiritually and hear the God in you. Even Stevie Wonder can see that. We haven't been around you in person and your "Light" is shining through. You continue to be you.
If those people around you are judgeing you because of your weight when you are talking/serving the Lord. Then the problem is with the devil in them. So the hell with them. If their eyes are stopping at your outer appearance then again I say "the hell with them".