Hi guys. Quick question. I get frequent migraines that sometimes can only be cured by sleeping but sometimes I NEED the Advil to help me out. I know after surgery we can use Advil or any tylonal. What does everyone use when they get sick ? Or when you get migraines what do you do/use now after surgery.

Sent from my LG-H915 using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor forbids the use of Advil and other NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)...Advil is ibuprofen.... it can damage your new stomach.

That said....he also said that if you ever needed to use it...sparingly and rarely...you could protect your new stomach by eating an antacid like Tums with it. But he prefers we stay away from these meds completely.

Tylenol is safer and doesn't irritate your stomach as much.

Thanks for posting this question, I’ve been sick with flu like symptoms and headache and have to work. So I’ve been taking Tylenol arthritis and fever reducer.

Absolutely No Advil or no to any NSAIDS

Tylenol is the only OTC Pain Medication allowable from our doctor & most all bariatric periodicals are the same. You should be able to call or email your doctor/nutritionist anytime there are questions about your choices about anything. Good Luck hope this helps answer your questions & hope you get to feeling better. Have a Merry Christmas & Safe & Happy New Year

Edited December 18, 20178 yr by rembo69

Thanks guys! I appreciate it. I have my appointments on Friday with my dietician social worker and nurse.

Sent from my LG-H915 using BariatricPal mobile app

Nothing else but advil works for my arthritis so my doctor is allowing it. I was only supposed to take omeprazole for 6 months but if I take advil he suggests just continuing with the omeprazole for as long as I take advil.

Migraines can be caused by many things. I suffered severe migraines over the years. I would know an attack was coming because I would see flashes of stars starting at the outer edges of my vision, working their way inward producing a type of tunnel vision and then I would get severe headaches. In my case the episodes were related to florescent lights. Since where I worked was totally lit with fluorescents, generally when an attack was beginning to happen, I would remove myself into natural lighting and it would minimize the attack. Now that I am retired, my home does not use florescent lighting and I no longer suffer this problem.

This link describes the migraine headaches. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201

It is important to avoid NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) after surgery because it can result in ulcers complicating the healing process. NSAIDs include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen, Meloxicam, Celecoxib, Indomethacin, Ketorolac, Ketoprofen, Nimesulide, Piroxicam, Etoricoxib, Mefenamic acid, Carprofen, Aspirin/paracetamol/caffeine, Etodolac, Loxoprofen, Nabumetone, Flurbiprofen, Salicylic acid, Aceclofenac, Sulindac, Phenylbutazone, Dexketoprofen, Lornoxicam, Tenoxicam, Diflunisal, Diclofenac/Misoprostol, Flunixin, Benzydamine, Valdecoxib, Oxaprozin, Nepafenac, Etofenamate, Ethenzamide, Naproxen sodium, Dexibuprofen, Diclofenac sodium, Bromfenac, Diclofenac potassium, Fenoprofen, Tolfenamic acid, Tolmetin, Tiaprofenic acid, Lumiracoxib, Phenazone, Salsalate, Felbinac, Hydrocodone/ibuprofen, Fenbufen].

A few different types of NSAIDs are available over the counter:

Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, Excedrin)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
Naproxen (Aleve)

But Tylenol is not a NSAID. https://www.drugs.com/answers/tylenol-nsaid-3002124.html My hospital discharge directions wrote the following: If using Lortab, do not take any Tylenol. Lortab has Tylenol in it and you can only have a total of 4 grams (4000 mg.) of Tylenol in a 24 hour period. So I do not understand why you cannot take Tylenol.

I take topamax every day to control my migraines. I used to get them more frequently but I haven't had one in close to a year since I've been on topamax. If I get a headache these days, post sleeve, I take liquid Tylenol; it works faster than pills. I also have a prescription for imitrex. As far as NSAIDs...I have chronic back pain. If I have to take Aleve, then I have to take Aleve. I'll only be taking it when I'm desperate though.

If you are having a bypass, NSAIDs are generally prohibited due to specific problems associated with that procedure; I have seen references to a few surgeons who approve NSAID use with a bypass under limited circumstances, though they are few and far between. The sleeve based procedures don't have the same problem as the bypass, so those patients are more tolerant of NSAID use, closer to a "normal" or non-WLS person - who should still be careful with these meds as they can do unpleasant things to even normal people. Many bariatric surgeons lump all the procedures together on this matter owing to their extensive bypass experience relative to their sleeve experience; those with greater sleeve experience tend to be more amenable to NSAID use, but it still shouldn't be a routine or everyday thing.

Here is one prominent sleeve surgeon's view on the matter:

No NSAIDS or Ibuprofen .. Tylenol or see a specialist .. I did because of my migraines and doc gave me med that Fiorcet that made it impossible to recover from migraines because you keep getting them so ask for the ones that GB or GS patients can use

DOS: 1/21/12
SW: 367 LBS
CW: 185 LBS