i take zoloft 100mg daily, and unisom/melatonin combo nearly every night for restless leg syndrome. the unisom is a gel cap and the melatonin is a tablet. i am concerned about the gel like coating of the gel cap getting caught in the band's restriction, and i am concerned that crushing the melatonin will cause it to be absorbed too quickly, leaving me restless(and sleepless).

do you guys have any input on this matter?

I haven't had any problems with gel caps getting stuck. I often take 4 advil gelcaps at one time, and have never had trouble. I'm also fairly filled and restricted, so you especially shouldn't have trouble in the beginning.

Unless your unisom is timed release, crushing it shouldn't change how it affects you. I also take a pill to sleep at night due to my RLS, and I have found that crushing it makes it work in 5-10 minutes as opposed to the 30-45 pre-banding. It also does NOT wear off. If you think about the mechanics, it makes sense...by crushing the pill, you are just going the digesting for your stomach.

And I've been waiting to share my crushing trick for a while - here goes! This process may seem a bit elaborate, but I needed a way to ingest crushed pills without grossing myself out every night. I crush my pill in with a mortar and pestle, then I pour about a teaspoon of one of those yogurt smoothie drinks into it and mix it up. Then I pour the mixture into a spoon, swallow quickly, and chase it with a swig of gatorade. I was really afraid of pill crushing before surgery, but this technique makes it a breeze for me.

Stop by your pharmacist and ask his/her advice. Some medications aren't supposed to be crushed. They may also offer what you're taking in liquid form.

I take 5 medications every night with no problem. In nearly 3 years being banded - only one period when I was over-filled, did I have to have liquids made up or open capsules, crush pills, etc.

When I was getting my fills under flouro, I always stressed that I needed to make sure there was still room left for meds. You may find that for a few days after your surgery you have to improvise, or immediately following a fill, but as a general rule, you shouldn't be that completely closed off.. Good luck with your surgery!

I agree with Leatha - even with restriction, there is still plenty of room for a pill to pass. I just crush my sleeping pill now because I like how fast it works.

I haven't had any problems with gel caps getting stuck. I often take 4 advil gelcaps at one time.

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I thought we were supposed to avoid NSAIDS?? Are we able to take ibuprofin if it comes in gelcap form??

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I thought we were supposed to avoid NSAIDS?? Are we able to take ibuprofin if it comes in gelcap form??

I'd say, "not unless you are in mortal pain." Some people think that it's the pill in the stomach that causes the problem. Ain't so. The mechanism that causes the NSAID to work ALSO causes a reduction in the lining of the stomach. the acids have a chance to burn holes in tissue that is not designed to handle acid.

All those Prilosec and Prevacid and Zantac commercials (and the others) are NOT just for bariatric surgery people. They are selling THAT stuff because they've done such a good job selling the NSAID's. (And just to make you crazier...my cousin died at 57 because tylenol killed his liver.)

:clap2: Wow!:clap2:

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the input!! You know, this community is so helpful! I enjoy visiting LBT, even when some folks are moody. It never fails, despite the mood of the board, if someone asks a fair question, they ALWAYS get a fair answer!!

Thanks Again, and ya'll count down the days with me!! I am so excited I can't sleep.

I'm so excited,

and I just can't hide it,

I'm about to lose some booty

and I think I like it!

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I tried crushing pills to powder. It makes me vomit when I try to swallow the powder. However, cutting the pills into 4-6 pieces really helps.

I have had food stuck in my band three times. I was banded 4/17/05 and I am still terrified to take my pills whole. That means, I am not faithful in taaking them. I know that they need to be taken and keep getting lectured to by all of my physicians. Help!

what about taking pills first thing in the morning when your stomach is empty and drinking a lot of water afterwards to make sure it goes through.....this is just a thought since I haven't been banded yet and have yet to try.

I take 5 pills a day, crush them, mix with a spoonfull of applesauce each, and they go down fine.

I take 5 pills a day, at least, and I have never had a pill get "stuck". I also do have good restriction, and food has been stuck. But never a pill.

It is interesting to see how different we all are and how everything affects everyone differently.

What about pills that can't be crushed? Like extended release pills, anyone have an experience with those?

I think I am just more afraid of taking them due to having had food stuck in the past. I se my surgeon on the 15th and will take my pills weith me to take the first time. I am a whimp. As for taking them in the morening, for me that is impossible, my stomach is always bloated in the am. Sometimes I have a hard time with my protein shakes. I even wait until 10am before I try yogurt. Thanks for all the suggestions.