I take extended release pain meds for a back, neck and spinal cord injury. I have read a few places that you can't take these. Has anyone had any problems?

Also, my meds have played a huge part in gaining my extra weight so I am concerned that I may not be able to lose it stil being on the meds. Any experience?

I am new to the site and my surgery is scheduled for July 11.

Talk to your surgeon to find out if the band is right for you. If your pain meds are anti-inflammatories your doc may recommend a different procedure.

I agree with Gigi. Talk to your doc. I know I had to stop taking any extended release meds.

I also had to stop taking my extended release med. My doctor just prescribed the regular not extended release pill but I take it twice a day now.

You cannot continue to take time release pills initially post op as you would be at serious risk of an overdose if you crushed the pill. Just after surgery, and for at least a couple of weeks, you will not be able to swallow pills.

For long term use, I have not read that time release pills are not allowed.

I agree with others that being on NASIDS is not going to work post op, as you risk developing ulcers and bleeding in your GI tract. I am having great difficulties with coping with pain from a near fatal car accident post op, as I am only allowed to take Tylenol which is useless for me. My opiate medications make the constipation impossible to deal with. I have to cope with the pain every day with no medications now.

I encourage you to have a long discussion with your surgeon and your prescribing physician pre op to determine what your realistic options are. Like I said, I have chronic pain which I am unmedicated for now, and it has effected my ability to get the proper exercise I need.

Best wishes...

During the consultation I told my doctor which meds I was on which included the extended release and instant release for breakthrough pain. I also told him I take maloxicam for arthritis pain. He said I would be fine on them. That is why I am asking because that doesn't seem right to me from all I have read.

There is no way I could stop the meds completely as the pain would be too severe. I am already scheduled for surgery. I don't know why my doc would say it is ok and schedule me.

I was prescribed meloxicam for several years, and it did have the pain and inflammation under control for me. Post op, I have not been allowed to take it at all...with the result of less exercise than I need.

I was told that my options in my case were opiates (no thanks...) or cortisone shots in my joints.(did not resolve the pain), or Tylenol (does not help with pain reduction).

Good luck with getting this resolved...again, I feel it is very important to discuss what your realistic options for pain management post op will be with both physicians.

I would recommend a second opinion because I was told stay away from things like advil. I also was on an ER medicine and had to switch prior to surgery. I know this is not what you want to hear, I would not have wanted to hear it if I were in your shoes. I worry that if your doctor is telling you it is okay and all of us are hearing/reading things to contradict his opinion that he may not really care about your health. I know there are some doctors out there who do this surgery for the money. Make sure you have one who really cares about your long term success and health!

Best of luck to you!!!

You are right, none if those work and believe me, I've had more than my fair share. For a long time I fought the use of opiates because of their effect on me. Hated the high feeling and sleepiness not to mention the nausea. After 10 years of it getting progressively worse, I could no longer take the pain with advil alone. I have been fortunate enough to find opana which doesn't have any of those effects. It simply stops the pain.

I hope we can figure something out because I need this surgery. The pain has only gotten worse since I gained the weight. I want to just have a better quality of life. I am so thankful for everyone's responses.

I would talk with your surgeon about what meds u can contiunue taking again ! .. show him any research u have found, Everyone's surgeons are different and no one surgeon is right and another totally wrong, They may well have had people on your sort of medication in the past and been fine with it .. it is a medical issue that i would seek more discussion on.

We can only say what is in our opinion really and not give medical adivce which is what u should stick too with issues like this

I am going for my first MD appointment I plan to have surgery in September...I have osteoarthritis opiates make me very sick and I can only take NSAIDS after reading this forum I am totally worried because my insurance only pays for lapband or bypass and I refuses to have the bypass ...,extremely confused now

I have RA and take voltaren. I have to drink carafate to coat my stomach before taking it.

This seems scary for me that I would have to stop any pain meds at all!

After reading some of this i'm worried!

I take Oxycodone 15mg Immediate Release 4x day and Methadone 10mg (which is extended release)

NOO WAY can i get off of these meds for even a day unless they are going to give me a shot of morphine on the way out the door.

I never knew this could be any kind of issue :-/

I guess this will be a big conversation. I guess if I can't take them i'll have to get the sleeve :-/

I do not have restrictions on swallowing pills (as long as they're not horse pills). Like everyone says, talk with your doctor. I have read the time release capsules can be a problem.

Good news! I heard from the doctor today and he said I can still take all my meds. He doesn't put any fluid in the band untill you heal so he said I won't have a problem with them. I'm am so relieved!