Question About Taking Meds Post-Op

[DebLW 7]

Hi everyone -

This is my first post. I've got a surgery date for January 23. I've been reading lots of your messages, and they have been so very helpful to me.

I just heard that following surgery, patients are unable to take medications? I'm on anti-depressants and high blood pressure medication. I truly need the anti-depressant. How will I be able to keep taking it if I cannot take pills? For how long following surgery is this typically the case?

Thanks so much for any insights.

Best,

Deb

[Raven21 121]

Talk to your doc. I can't believe everyone having surgery can just stop taking their meds. I too need my depression meds or I'll be an absolute wreck in about 3 days!

[Ailly 32]

Not the case at all. I'm on several medications that I resumed taking the day after surgery. Some surgeons advise against time release pills because they don't sit in your stomach long enough. My surgeon says no medication in capsule form unless I open the capsule because they usually don't stay in the stomach long enough to dissolve. But not all surgeons have the same rule. The best thing for you to do is talk to your surgeons office about this AND take comfort in knowing that a lot of us on here take medication with no problems post-op.

[DebLW 7]

Whew.....yes, I absolutely intend to bring this up to my surgeon at my pre-op appt, but it is still a few weeks away, which left me lots of time to stew.

Thanks so much, Ailly...and by the way, your pup is adorable!

Deb

Not the case at all. I'm on several medications that I resumed taking the day after surgery. Some surgeons advise against time release pills because they don't sit in your stomach long enough. My surgeon says no medication in capsule form unless I open the capsule because they usually don't stay in the stomach long enough to dissolve. But not all surgeons have the same rule. The best thing for you to do is talk to your surgeons office about this AND take comfort in knowing that a lot of us on here take medication with no problems post-op.

[BeGuiled 36]

There are liquid replacements some times or at the right stage you can get a pill pulverizer and add it to apple sauce or something. I found these wellese brand liquid vites and also a very good chewable on the site adverts. Maybe your Doc will change you for a while to something compatible but you'll need ask the Doc that prescribes for each need to do it.

Also my surgeon spoke of there being no post op need for blood preasure med.

http://www.baribest.com/store/baribest/opurity-bypass-optimized-multi-vitamin.html

This one has the vites and Calcium and B12 and D3 and Iron !

Other are a variety of high dose lquid types.

I am seeing 1 doctor to change this week Monday. Antother has an appoinment with me on 30th for the same, my date is set Dec second week of.

Good luck

[ozeedonkee 145]

I was able to take tablets (I break them in half if they're big) on day 2/3. I was surprised, but they go down easily. I had purchased a pill crusher just in case, but haven't needed to use it yet.

[Holly5.3 423]

My dr. allowed me to take anti-anxiety meds up to surgery (1/2 10 mg.Xanax) and after (tiny pill). Was sent home with Percocette for pain. I could swallow but I couldn't sleep so by day 3 went off Perc. and took extra-strength rapid release gell caps and Tylenol PM for night time. That helped pain more than prescribed meds for me and really helped my discomfort! I also had hiatal hernia repaired which caused more discomfort than my sleeve!

[BeGuiled 36]

interesting that you people took the pills, I was told I can not until a certain point in time. Who knows, that may be so or they may allow what ever if I pushed it forward.

[ozeedonkee 145]

Just one of the many variations I guess. I was offered paracetamol tablets day 2, but declined until I felt brave enough on day 3

[slimmerplt 7]

After seeing my surgeon for my first consult he sent a letter to my PCP discussing my intent for the sleeve. His ltr stated I would not b able to take pills and to determine if they could be crushed and if not change my medication to one that could. U should not stop without first consulting with ur PCP.

[jac1970 39]

I was told that about the pills as well. Now, some meds can be crushed, some cannot i.e. time-release medications, which a lot of antidepressants are. That might be why you were told to stop taking them. I have Lupus and pill taking is a concern for me too. Another option is to see if a compounding pharmacy can make your medication in liquid form. Its worth checking out anyway.

[lizv123 389]

Hi everyone -

This is my first post. I've got a surgery date for January 23. I've been reading lots of your messages' date=' and they have been so very helpful to me.

I just heard that following surgery, patients are unable to take medications? I'm on anti-depressants and high blood pressure medication. I truly need the anti-depressant. How will I be able to keep taking it if I cannot take pills? For how long following surgery is this typically the case?

Thanks so much for any insights.

Best,

Deb[/quote']

I know this is late but I had surgery on the 19th. On the 20th the nurses were bringing me my antidepressant to take. I refused it because I was incredibly nauseous but they offered it

[DebLW 7]

I know this is late but I had surgery on the 19th. On the 20th the nurses were bringing me my antidepressant to take. I refused it because I was incredibly nauseous but they offered it

Thanks so much for responding.....and how are you feeling?

Deb

[lizv123 389]

Thanks so much for responding.....and how are you feeling?

Deb

Well I had a rough vomiting episode and didn't support my side enough and pulled some muscles so I'm sore, but other than that not bad