I am taking blood pressure medication and birth control pills. My pharmacist said it was ok to crush both of them but I'm a little weary about the birth control pills. Does anyone else who's had lap band crush their bcp's? The pharmacist said I could add the crushed pills to apple sauce. How does everyone else crush their pills and what food do you add them to?

Thanks for your help. I'm having surgery next Friday, Oct. 15. Very excited!

i just got off my bp meds and i never had to crush them because they are so small. and i know birth control pills are small also. i was told nothing bigger then an eraser. were you told to crush all pills? i would think they would be small enough not to do anything with.

I have enough trouble with pills that I've had most of my meds switched to liquid. That said, small pills (birth control pill size) are no problem at all. They dissolve quickly and, even if they don't, are able to pass through even a restricted stoma.

I'd give 'em a try whole.

I think so,too! It's good for health!

Thanks for the advice. I think I will try them whole at first since they are both pretty small.

I am crushing pills. I add sugar free punch in a tiny cup and mix it. Makes it easier to take. I'm also crushing my anti nausea pills. (banded 2 days ago). My doc said don't crush time released pills but that others are ok to crush.

hi - I was banded 2+ weeks ago and told to crush my meds. I take hi blood pressure , hi cholesterol, and asthma meds. I used a mortal and pestal (remember that from high school science ?) Anyhow - I had to change one capsule to a pill.

Here is my question - I have learned that the post op diet is to let the band stitches heal, and help prevent slippage, and although I can eat anything I dont and wont. I did find however I can take all my pills (except the gigantic chewable Calcium citrate :thumbup:) whole w/ no digestion problem.

• Am I doing myself a dis-service by not crushing ?
  
• Is that practice for once we have a fill and a stoma/pouch ?
  
• Should I be crushing em even though I dont physically feel the need to ?
  

I know we are all not dr's here, looking for other experiences and opinions. I have an appt later in the week and will inquire and post back.

In the mean time any advice appreciated!

thanks Bob

The only things I've ever had trouble with are the large non chewable calcium. I never thought about crushing them and no one ever suggested it to me, but I did break them into 4ths and take with yogurt or applesauce. Even doing it that way made my band ache. I finally went to chewables on the calcium and immediate improvement.

I've never had any issues taking anything else.. and I take a bunch of supplements that come in capsules and caplets.

I do prefer chewables when available. Round pills have always been hard for me, even pre-banding, but oblong shapes are just fine.

I'm glad you are going to ask your doctor as all we can do is share our personal experiences.

I've been avoiding crushing pills like crazy

I try to get a liquid form of everything and it's been working so far. I got an Implanon so I don't have to take birth control pills, but I've had it for ages...Might be worth getting one of those? They're amazing for some people but crap for others. Could be worth a try

The only things I've ever had trouble with are the large non chewable calcium. I never thought about crushing them and no one ever suggested it to me, but I did break them into 4ths and take with yogurt or applesauce. Even doing it that way made my band ache. I finally went to chewables on the calcium and immediate improvement.

I've never had any issues taking anything else.. and I take a bunch of supplements that come in capsules and caplets.

I do prefer chewables when available. Round pills have always been hard for me, even pre-banding, but oblong shapes are just fine.

I'm glad you are going to ask your doctor as all we can do is share our personal experiences.

I often here people using applesauce. What is that stuff? It sounds delicious.

I often here people using applesauce. What is that stuff? It sounds delicious.

Apples that have been (usually) peeled and cooked and mashed up. Most recipes call for sugar. If I were making my own, I'd find some acceptable sugar sub.

Here's some recipes:

Applesauce Recipes - Allrecipes.com (Pg. 1)

Apples that have been (usually) peeled and cooked and mashed up. Most recipes call for sugar. If I were making my own, I'd find some acceptable sugar sub.

Here's some recipes:

Applesauce Recipes - Allrecipes.com (Pg. 1)

Ohhh...It really is just apple sauce It's so popular here, I thought it was some magical superfood that everyone besides me had with everything.

'Sauce' to me is what you'd call 'ketchup' :-D

I'd just try to swallow them whole. If they are small they should go down no problem.

I can't take even the smallest pill (from experience) without getting stuck. Fortunately, I don't have regular daily medications other than insulin, which is injectable. When I get a headache, I just crush the Excedrin Migraine tablet (only thing that helps) to a powder and just pop it into my mouth along with a good dose of Water. Not pleasant but over quickly.

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The first day after my surgery I crushed my birthcontrol pill in apple sauce, it was very pointless. Since that day I just swallow it after I can feel that my breakfast has gone down. It is so small it doesn't effect anything.

I found it easier to just drop the pills in a little bit of water, wait about 5 minutes for them to dissolve and drink them. Not the best tasting option but it works for me and is fast.