What's the story behind anti-inflammatories after surgery?

[sookiee 13]

Does anyone know why anti-inflammatories are not allowed after surgery? And is this a forever thing?? Just wondering because I have tendonitis and doc specifically said he wanted me on an anti-inflammatory so what happens if I have a flare-up after the surgery?

[Arts137 1,811]

They can irritate while you heal, and after may have other adverse effects.

This might help:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/medications-after-bariatric-surgery-wls.html

BUT WORK WITH YOUR DOCTORS. There are always trade-offs and special decisions in special circumstances. Just work with ALL your MDs and you'll work out a plan for YOU!

[AtlantaRed 651]

They can cause ulcers and irritate the stomach (in anybody) and since we have such a small one after surgery, we have to be very careful with things like that.

I've taken so much advil over the years for headaches, my stomach is very sensitive to them now. I now only take them in the case of an extreme headache where nothing else is helping (and I haven't been sleeved yet!)

[Goslin 13]

Until healed, they also promote bleeding, as well as gastric irritation

[sookiee 13]

Thank you all so much for your responses! I understand much better now!

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Take tylenol if you need a pain med for a few weeks post-op instead of NSAIDs. Bleeding and irritation are possible risks of NSAID use right after surgery. They can aggravate ulcers if you have them but they don't give you ulcers. I think I took ibuprophen at 3 weeks postop and was totally fine.

[RickM 1,753]

Basically, they are a big no-no forever for the RNY due to structural weaknesses inherent in that particular procedure. Many docs who are experienced with the RNY but relatively new to the sleeve carry over that advice to their sleeve patients until they (the docs) get comfortable with the differences in treating the different patients (we see much the same thing happening with dietary restrictions and progressions, with RNY protocols often being applied to sleeve patients until the surgeons learn how the different patient groups respond.) Surgeons who come from the DS side of the craft have little objection to NSAID use and offen recommend them for use post-op as needed once the narcotic pain relievers are no longer appropriate. Note that the Obesity Help article linked above only mentions the bypass in limiting NSAID use, but does not discuss other procedures.

This difference is well enough established in the medical world that it is often used in overturning insurance decisions favoring the RNY over the DS or sleeve, but as usual, follow your doc's recommendations as much as possible; if you have a specific need for these medications, as the OP does, and they are on your surgeon's no-no list, discuss them with the surgeon. NSAIDS have side effects that can be problematic for normal, non-WLS people, so their use should be monitored by your doc (surgeon or PCP) even though they may be OTC medications.

[PGee 318]

My doctor said NSAIDS were not allowed for life due to ulcers..

Good luck, and please ask your doctor for his take on this because not all doctors have the same opinion about NSAIDS postop....some okay them.....and perhaps there's something else out there that will work well, too.

On a side note, I've lived on advil or alleve for 3 years.......I'm three months out, 59 pounds down, and my knee will be wonky until I have a knee replacement (missing cartiledge, arthritis/bone on bone), but I'm not in pain and haven't taken anything for it since surgery......wishing you the best!

[sookiee 13]

Thank you so much! I will definitely discuss my specific concerns on this with my doctor. Hopefully I won't have ankle problems after I lose some weight