I am starting my research into PS and I am sure that this has been answered in another thread. I have a hard time swallowing pills and I am concerned about taking pain pills after surgery. Did anyone have an unfill before surgery to be able to take pain pills? How long did you need to take pain pills after surgery? Like I said, I am just starting my research and I am not looking for surgery until March or April 2008 because I still need to loose another 20 lbs. and my husband might be relocating to another state by then so I have not even looked at a plastic surgeon yet. Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Valarie G.

I couldn't have swallowed pills for about 10 days post-op because I didn't want to get an unfill and I was tight from the fluid buildup in my body from the surgery. In anticipating that, I asked for liquid narcotics, which did the trick perfectly.

I chose to get an unfill. I had kidney stones last year and due to the vomiting I did get unfilled.So when I went to have my PS done this time I asked for an unfill and had to take percocet for 4 days only. I was unfilled for a total of 2 weeks. hope this hels, just remember that everone have a different pain tolerence.

I didn't have an unfill before my surgery, and took pills that had been cut in half (I usually broke them in half with my teeth)

I took only panadol after coming home, and after a quick chew, they went down just fine.

I WAS ABSOLUTLEY FINE TAKING PILLS I ALSO DID NOT HAVE A DE FILL. SOME ONE TOLD ME RECENTLY THAT THEY SHOULD OF DE FILLED ME 4 ANESTETIC PURPOSES, SOUNDS STRANGE TO ME, AS I WAS FINE WITH OUT A DE FILL.

I have no problem taking pills but must crush them up a bit. Also, my surgeryis going to be July 19th and my dr has prescribed me vicodin for pain. I am very worried because vicodin does very little for my back pain so hows it supposed to help with a full on extended tummy tuck plus lipo!!

get liquid pain meds. Just like after you band surgery.

Ok, I just called my surgeon and asked him to call me in some liquid meds just in case. At first they said they had done tt's on many lapband patients and none needed liquid meds but I told them since my surgeryis this Thursday, I am afraid I'll wake up on Friday or Sat in pain and be unable to get help cuz of the weekend.

Thanks for the info all

The dr who does my fills and aftercare insisted on emptying my band before I had my pani removed.....he said it should always be emptied before any kind of abdominal surgery so that any vomiting that you might experience because of stuck food/pills, etc would not tear the stitching. He emptied my band last Monday, had surgery Friday (4 days ago) and I still don't have any appetite and still feel I have some restriction - it has also kept me from having acid reflux which is a good thing during surgery also. He said for me to come back in about 10 days and he'd refill my band.

I know a lot of people have surgeries without emptying band and have done fine- guess different doctors have different opinions, but I was glad to have that possibility removed from the mix.

I am starting my research into PS and I am sure that this has been answered in another thread. I have a hard time swallowing pills and I am concerned about taking pain pills after surgery. Did anyone have an unfill before surgery to be able to take pain pills? How long did you need to take pain pills after surgery? Like I said, I am just starting my research and I am not looking for surgery until March or April 2008 because I still need to loose another 20 lbs. and my husband might be relocating to another state by then so I have not even looked at a plastic surgeon yet. Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Valarie G.

I am not scheduled for my plastic surgery for another 6 weeks but I do know after my lap band surgery I couldn't swallow pills (as most can't) and they gave me liquid percocet for pain managment. It was just like taking Nyquil or something like that. But much, much stronger obviously. Also I was diagnosed with TMJ a couple months ago and they said taking some ibuprofen would help lessen the swelling. when I told my doc I couldn't take pills she prescribed me the liquid type of ibuprofen no problem. Just ask your plastic surgeon. I think any doc would be more than happy to give you the liquid version.

I am 4 days out of plastics - BL/BA, extended abdominoplasty with lateral thigh lift and lots of lipo.

I had my band doc take out 0.5 cc before surgery and I'm glad I did. I had 5 1/2 hours of surgery with 7 liters of IV fluids. Can we say puffy? I was afraid I'd be too tight and would need an emergency unfill. Not a trip I'd want to make after that much surgery. I still have no appetite, but having no problems with pills or eating.

I've haven't needed any oral pain meds. I had pain pumps in until last night and I only have a little brief pain if I cough. The pills I'm taking are regular meds, Vitamins and Iron as I lost a lot of blood with the surgery.

If and when I need my 0.5 cc back, I'll go and get it.

After this experience, I'd recommend getting a little Fluid out for a major surgery. I'm currently at 1.5 cc in a 4.0 cc band.

Good luck with your surgery.

Luckyme

274/155 5'8"

1/31/05

I just had a tummy tuck and did not have an unfill. When I had the lapband installed my surgeon gave me liquid vicodin. Since thne though noone I[ve mentioned it to has ever herad of it.

Good luck to you. Can you take pillsif they are chopped? I've done that before.

I am starting my research into PS and I am sure that this has been answered in another thread. I have a hard time swallowing pills and I am concerned about taking pain pills after surgery. Did anyone have an unfill before surgery to be able to take pain pills? How long did you need to take pain pills after surgery? Like I said, I am just starting my research and I am not looking for surgery until March or April 2008 because I still need to loose another 20 lbs. and my husband might be relocating to another state by then so I have not even looked at a plastic surgeon yet. Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Valarie G.

My PS surgeon offered the option of a "pain pump" so that I could get the pain meds without swallowing a pill. I didn't need it though and I could swallow the pills broken in 1/2.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I have a very hard time swallowing pills bigger than an Excedrin cut in half. The liquid pain meds usually make me gag, but I am talking like liquid Tylenol, just way to sweet. I will probably look into a "pain pump" or even just taking pills just have to cut in half or thirds even if they are really big.

Valarie G

hi, liquid vicodin is called loratab. hope this helps.

I had a ftt /muscle repair, underarms done and a eye lift and the dr. left the band alone and i had a pain pump for 5 days and it was wonderful.