NSAIDs or no NSAIDs?

[WitchySar 244]

One of the reasons I was interested in the sleeve was because my research showed me that I could still take NSAIDs after the surgery. For several reasons I will continue to need them for the rest of the my life. When I was discussing my options with the surgeon the use of NSAIDs never came up but I did tell him about my issues and I'm sure he knows that NSAIDs are needed. But now I'm seeing people getting medic alert bracelets that say "No blind NG - No NSAIDS" and that has me wondering.

Are NSAIDs allowed or not after having the sleeve? Or is this another one of those debates like straws?

[justhere4theshow 462]

You have to go by what your surgeon wants. I have a sleeve and was told no NSAIDs. I get by, but sometimes I have to take Norco to take the edge off of my pain. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis in my back. I get the 5/325 dose, and usually half a pill makes me feel better without feeling loopy. You will just need to work with your doctors on this. And I do have a medic alert with "no blind NG tube and no NSAIDs" Good luck to you.

[WitchySar 244]

As much as listening to your surgeon makes sense the fact remains that stomachs don't vary based on who cuts most of it out. Just because one surgeon prefers one thing and another prefers something different doesn't actually change whether or not it adversely affects the new stomach.

[erp 2,016]

My endoscopy pre-op showed the damage to my stomach that NSAIDs did. That was enough for me. No to NSAIDs is about risk, some people could get an ulcer and with only 20% of a stomach most surgeons advise against the use.

[justhere4theshow 462]

I am not disputing the fact that "stomachs don't vary based on who cuts it out". What I mean when I say to go by what your doctor wants is this: Stomachs may not vary, but treatment options do. Some doctors will let you take NSAIDs occasionally if there is no other alternative. Usually, there are other options for pain relief and reduction of inflammation, but you will need the guidance and supervision of your doctor in order to explore those other options and be monitored while doing so.

[Dub 9,922]

My surgeon allows them. He urged me to consider sleeve vs bypass for this reason.

He did say to take with food.

[Cape Crooner 589]

Same here, I was told to go with the sleeve because I was going to be taking NSAID'S for arthritis and drinking alcohol. I was cleared for NSAID'S after one month post opt. My hospital was Newton Wellesley, the top wls hospital in Massachusetts.

Edited July 30, 2016 by Cape Crooner

[deerjay 24]

I have a sleeve, and I was told only Advil liquigels because they dissolve quickly and move out of your stomach.

[Frenchie1977 262]

I just went to my informational seminar and I asked exactly this question. My surgeon said not for the first three months but after that I could take them if needed.

[AvaFern 3,516]

Haha...you're right about the fact that your stomach isn't different based upon who cut it out. NSAIDs should be fine..or I am in some big trouble. I also did the research, but I don't remember my doctor talking about it one way or the other. I wouldn't say I NEED Advil, but I am not spending the rest of my life tolerating headaches and muscle pain. I am three years out and I've taken plenty of NSAIDs, to be fair, probably more than the average person, especially lately since I had dental work done and they give you 800mg Mortin (and Percocet haha). I read that it was safe and that it was only an issue with bypass patients. Physiologically there should be no reason you can't have NSAIDs because the mechanisms that causes the problem is at the bypass, which sleeve patients don't have.

If I end up dying or getting an ulcer, I'll probably be unhappy, but at 3 years out with as much Advil as I have taken, I have been completely fine. I would let your stomach recover the full 6 weeks before you gave it anything that might irritate it, which even then NSAIDs may not be a problem, but past that, the science says you're fine.

[Christinamo7 4,041]

the bariatric program I use says NO NSAIDS forever, for both sleeve and bypass. but my surgeon told me explicitly that they are fine for me. I also have other health care conditions to manage, and the longer I can get by with occasional Advil, the longer I can avoid stronger harsher medications.

[theantichick 2,204]

NSAIDs and steroids have a problem in they affect the prostaglandin in the body, and can increase the risk of ulcers. I have auto-immune and will need to take NSAIDs and steroids intermittently for the rest of my life. I was advised that the bypass and lap-band were not options for me because there is a complete ban on NSAIDs and steroids after those procedures. While surgeons would be happiest if NSAIDs and steroids were not taken after sleeves, it is not a complete prohibition just a risk-benefit analysis. Some surgeons will say no after VSG, some will say yes, and some will say yes conditionally. It's best to discuss your needs with your medical team and come to agreement about it.