When can I start taking Advil again? I'm 1 month out from RNY. My cramps are killing me, and I took two extra strength tylenols not even three hours ago. Helped for a split second :/

At my support group last month, they discussed NSAIDS like Advil. The general consensus was that 6 months - a year after surgery. That's not official, but the NUT who runs the meeting didn't disagree.

I did not realize we could revert back to NSAIDs at all. I will have to ask my surgeons office that question next week when I check in.

Thanks for the heads up.

I also thought we were not allowed to ever take NSAID's again after surgery. I hope I am wrong. I can't stand Tylenol. It doesn't seem to help. I miss my ibuprofen

I just got off the phone with my surgeons office. I wanted to know if I could take Midol (it contains tylenol, caffeine and an antihistamine)... She said yes but to up my Fluid by 24oz each day I take it because the caffeine will dehydrate me.

I was also told that I can take Advil again starting at two months out! I'm SO RELIEVED!!

I have a message in to my GP to have her call in tylenol with codene for me. I used to take it for my cramps, but got tired of being wiped out from it that upon recommendation of my hairdresser (and ok from my GP) I switched to alternating Advil and Midol every 4 hours for three days during my period. I get cramps so severely I end up vomiting usually. I'd rather take the sleepy-meds than vomit, obviously.

Surgeon said to stick with the tylenol with codene til month 5-6 if I feel like I will be taking the max daily dose of Advil for 3 days a month, as that's a bit harsh on my new pouch. But a couple a day isn't awful, and better than vomiting.

Thanks for the replies

Wow, really? I was told that I could never take Advil or any other NSAIDs again. They gave me a long printed list of meds that I can never take.

I CAN take Tylenol since it is not an NSAID.

All surgeon's really are different.

My surgeon said I can take it with the sleeve.

I was also told never again for NSAIDS.

I had RNY and was told NSAIDS are off limits due to potential for ulcers. I know someone who took them and developed a boat load of problems including an ulcer. She ended up with a feeding tube!

My medical ID says No NSAIDS. It must mean something.

I'm a bander. The possibility of ulcers and band erosion eliminates NSAIDS for life.

Also, when you take NSAIDS over a period of years like I did, you are putting your kidneys at risk. I'm glad to be off them and that my weight loss has helped my arthritis pain so that I don't need them. I still have arthritis but the occasional pain from overdoing it (like a Zumba class this week ow ow ow) is managed with the occasional Tylenol or Tramadol if really bad.

Edited February 21, 201511 yr by JustWatchMe

Wow everyone's experiences are so different!!

I take Advil 2 tablets 3 times a day for 3 days a month. (And take 2 Midol 3 times a day for 3 days a month) otherwise I literally vomit from the pain of my cramps. I managed this month by taking my pain meds from surgery and Midol. I was in bed for 3 days, but didn't vomit.

Thanks for everyone's input

I've got neck/back issues and both my surgeon and PCP OK'd NSAIDS and even steroids (which also cause ulcers) as long as I took a PPI at the same time. Also gave me the option of taking sucralfate if I had to be on NSAIDS for extended periods of time.

It's all about risk vs benefits and protecting your GI tract. In fact, my surgeon sends his VSG patients home with an NSAID to take immediately postop because the benefit of reducing surgical inflammation outweighs the risk of ulcers when used short term.

My understanding is that you can never take NSAIDS after gastric bypass, but you can after about 6 weeks with the sleeve. The reason is because the suture line at the pouch anastomosis (where they attach it) is prone to ulceration in the bypass. I have a sleeve and I've taken ibuprofen every day for the last 2 years. It was one of the main reasons I had the sleeve. I find Tylenol is useless for me.

I'll be having a Mini Gastric Bypass in about 3 weeks. My surgeon said I can take an occasional Advil after surgery. I need to pin him down on what he means by "occasional".

Edited February 26, 201511 yr by Okiebon