Just realized that I need to find out how to take meds immediately following surgery??? I take fluoxetine capsules. If we are on clear liquids for days after surgery how do we take our meds? Crush them up in the clear liquid?

I need this info also because the meds I take have to be taken with food to avoid stomach upset...I wonder how we'll do that. I hope to hear the same answers as you.

My surgeon didn't have me crush anything. I was able to swallow pills. I'm on levothyroxine and was taking oral meds on the morning after surgery.

Not sure about the "take with food" issue because none of mine are like that. They'll likely give you heartburn & anti-nausea meds which may help with the "take with food" part or maybe the clear broth counts as something to fill your stomach?

^{Your doc should have gone over your meds with you and have them either converted to liquid or have them dissolved in a spoon of water if possible. Sometimes they have you discontinue them for the two weeks and start up again after your first post op visit. I only had blood press meds and I was able to dissolve and swallow. Tasted nasty but it was only for two weeks.}

I was told to just take as usual. I take two small pills and my antacid.

You can take your old meds. It if comes in a capsule form do not take the contents out of the capsule. Some meds can be crushed and other not as they have a time released coating. If you have questions about your meds and if they can be cut or crushed I would talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

I took my Zoloft as usual.. I actually couldn't tolerate the liquid lortab or reglan they gave me--had to have it switched to pills!!!

Anyone on Effexor XR? I take the orange generic capsules. I've heard that XR's (extended release) don't tend to work for sleevers because of the lack of stomach acid to dissolve it. It's a concern for me because as anyone who takes it knows, it's got horrible withdrawal effects.

A good trick is to take oral medications with yogurt or sf pudding. The pills slide down with the yogurt or sf pudding. Piece of cake! LOL

I would talk to your doctor about the Effexor XR and see what he has to say. I know that at one point I was taking Welbutrin XR and was changed to a different medication. Also in the first days after your surgery you can use jello to take your pills with as this helps to open up the sleeve. I would stay away from yogart and pudding in the first week. It all depends on your doctor but I would ask them what they suggest.

Thank you to everyone for answering my question. My capsule that I take is pretty large so I was worried about it. I will go over it with the doc beforehand but am just trying to get all of the my ducks in a row.

I'm suprised, my doctor stated I need to crush whatever meds I need which right now I am only on vitamins and anti-acid.

Anyone on Effexor XR? I take the orange generic capsules. I've heard that XR's (extended release) don't tend to work for sleevers because of the lack of stomach acid to dissolve it. It's a concern for me because as anyone who takes it knows, it's got horrible withdrawal effects.

Another forum post says the surgeon recommended spilling the capsule into applesauce. I think I'm going to go in and talk to my psychiatrist about it.

Anyone on Effexor XR? I take the orange generic capsules. I've heard that XR's (extended release) don't tend to work for sleevers because of the lack of stomach acid to dissolve it. It's a concern for me because as anyone who takes it knows, it's got horrible withdrawal effects.

I take Effexor xr's too and I'm worried about taking it with nothing solid to eat in my stomach because they really hurt on an empty stomach as I'm sure you already know. I've heard there is a pill form but its not extended released and has a lot more side effects such as vivid or scary dreams WTH? I plan to ask my doc before surgery on Thurs. Let me know if you find out anything before then?

I take Effexor xr's too and I'm worried about taking it with nothing solid to eat in my stomach because they really hurt on an empty stomach as I'm sure you already know. I've heard there is a pill form but its not extended released and has a lot more side effects such as vivid or scary dreams WTH? I plan to ask my doc before surgery on Thurs. Let me know if you find out anything before then?

I spoke to my psychiatrist today, and she said that it was OK to dump the Effexor XR capsules out, and take them with whatever I can tolerate at the time (whether it's Clear liquids at the time, or so on). She said that especially with such big changes going on, it's important to stay on the anti-depressant meds, and I agree. Vivid or scary dreams are things I get if I miss a couple days of the Effexor XR, so I can see it being a potential side effect of the non-extended release, too. Yeah, you might get a little more nausea on a stomach without food - but I frequently take my pills with no food, or just with a Protein shake, and I'm used to it. Hopefully it won't hurt your sleeve enough to have to throw up, but I'm pretty sure you want to stay on it.

Cheers, and good luck!

I spoke to my psychiatrist today, and she said that it was OK to dump the Effexor XR capsules out, and take them with whatever I can tolerate at the time (whether it's clear liquids at the time, or so on). She said that especially with such big changes going on, it's important to stay on the anti-depressant meds, and I agree. Vivid or scary dreams are things I get if I miss a couple days of the Effexor XR, so I can see it being a potential side effect of the non-extended release, too. Yeah, you might get a little more nausea on a stomach without food - but I frequently take my pills with no food, or just with a Protein shake, and I'm used to it. Hopefully it won't hurt your sleeve enough to have to throw up, but I'm pretty sure you want to stay on it.

Cheers, and good luck!

Thanks a bunch for letting me know what the psychiatrist said! I've been so busy getting ready that I completely forgot to make a call to the doc about that. I'll definitely open up the capsules and try to take them with the thickest liquid I can tolerate, possibly some Jello or something. Thanks again.