I am considering a lap band. I take alot of supplements daily

some are of the pills are very large (like the fish oil pill) how

do you approach pill taking? Also I was considering dr. spegiel in port neches texas but have heard nothing but bad comments about him . Any feedback? How about dr hahn in

orange texas? Thanks in advance

I'm not familiar w/ either doctor. Mine's in Houston and I love him and his office staff. You will need to be careful w/large pills after banding. Are these prescription meds.? If so, your dr. can probably prescribe another brand that's smaller or in liquid form. Time release meds. aren't good and need to be replaced w/ regular meds. A lot of solid pills can be broken up before swallowing. Capsules can be opened and mixed in a little yogurt or applesauce.

I would be a bit concerned about some of those really large capsules, for sure. But, I wouldn't let it stop me from being banded and losing weight, which would probably do more good for me than all the supplements on the market. Just my 2 cents.. Good luck with your decision.

Whether or not you can take those pills will be an individual thing and will depend in part on your level of restriction. You won't be able to right after you get banded, but you may be able to down the road. I take several medications and supplements a day. I break the big pills in half. But I can take a fish oil supplement without problems.

But I really agree with Leatha that the band is worth it even if you can't take the big capsules. Losing weight will benefit your health greatly. And there are other ways to get those Omega 3s.

Nancy

Thanks so much for all of your replies. Will consider Dr Spivak, though would like to find a doc close to home for easy follow up treatment. Most pills are vitamins though my diabetic meds are large and time released. Dumb question but what's PB mean.

Thanks,

Starrla

Starrla, pb means productive burp. It's a lot like baby spitup. It usually happens from eating too fast and/or too big bites. You should try to avoid it. A few times is o.k. But if it happens a lot, it could cause your band to slip, or cause band erosion (which could have to be removed).

One thing you will find after banding is that you will be eating a healthier diet - getting most of your Proteins and Vitamins from the types of foods you now eat. This will eliminate the need for several supplements. Then there are maintenance supplements that Bandsters take such as flaxseed oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C (chewable), Viactiv Calcium chews, children's chewable vitamin - just to name a few.

Star, I am from Lake Charles and Ive never heard about Dr. Hahn in Orange. I agree with the others about large pills... breaking them in half. When I went for my pre-op visits everyone told me that I would have to start crushing pills, or having chewables or liquids. Im at a 1.6 level of restriction and swallow a pill (tylenol) just fine.

Of coarse right after surgery AND a fill you MUST have liquids or chewables only.

I love the spray vitamins...it's called vitamist, you do 8 sprays a day and you have your daily vitamins taken care of! Now I dont know if it will work if you take multiple others but that works great for me....hope this helps

Do you spray the Vitamins in your mouth? Or on your food? Sounds interesting.

Nancy

Spray them in your mouth...i guess you could put them on food but probably wouldnt taste to good. They do have a little aftertaste like having a multivitamin. but its worth not swallowing a huge pill!

I take glucosimine and the pills are huge... I have no problem.