This is a question I have to present to my cardiologist but thought I'd ask here as well and learn of your experiences. Since most/all/many blood thinners have to be taken with food (to lessen the chance of a stomach bleed per doc) what did you do on the full liquid stages before and after surgery? I was wondering if taking the meds after a Meal Replacement will suffice?

My husband was on blood thinner and had three stomach bleeds so I am very concerned about this.

Edited November 23, 201411 yr by Alfie

I've been on a blood thinner for about 7 years & have never had a stomach bleed. I take my Warfarin in the afternoon & not necessarily after I have eaten. All I did right after surgery was crush my pills but now I'm back to just taking pills whole. I think we are all different & tolerate our meds differently. My INR is checked every 2 weeks because I have a tendency to be just a little bit irradiate. A month ago my INR was 5.3 & we have no idea why. The next week I was back to 2.7 & have been 2.something ever since. Your cardiologist should be the one to give you the best advice on how to take your meds. I've noticed that doctors have differing opinions about how to deal with the gastric sleeve operation. I've also noticed that not all NUTs agree with what to eat & when to eat. Can be confusing. Fortunately for me my surgeon, NUT & cardiologist are all on the same page. Hope you find your answers.

thank you

I've been on a blood thinner for about 7 years & have never had a stomach bleed. I take my Warfarin in the afternoon & not necessarily after I have eaten. All I did right after surgery was crush my pills but now I'm back to just taking pills whole. I think we are all different & tolerate our meds differently. My INR is checked every 2 weeks because I have a tendency to be just a little bit irradiate. A month ago my INR was 5.3 & we have no idea why. The next week I was back to 2.7 & have been 2.something ever since. Your cardiologist should be the one to give you the best advice on how to take your meds. I've noticed that doctors have differing opinions about how to deal with the gastric sleeve operation. I've also noticed that not all NUTs agree with what to eat & when to eat. Can be confusing. Fortunately for me my surgeon, NUT & cardiologist are all on the same page. Hope you find your answers.

Thank you for your input. My husband was on Warfarin too but he was also on dialysis which didn't help. His INR would go up to 9 at times and he was tested weekly. They had quite the time trying to regulate it. Anyway, I take Xarelto so I don't get my INR tested etc. Again, thanks