In my surgeon consult yesterday he told me that once I have surgery, I must avoid NSAIDS at any and all costs because the potential to cause ulcers. Pardon the pun, but this was a tough pill to swallow LOL What in the world do you do when you have a headache or period cramps? Tylenol has always been 100% ineffective for me especially with period cramps. Headaches are rare for me, but cramps...those are a definite once a month occurrence and they show no mercy except when I toss back about 4 Advil

Midol has caffeine. My program is a no caffeine before and never again after surgery. This was a point pushed at every class at least 4 or 5 times an hour. We are asked every time was see the NUT, PA or Doctor about caffeine.

I am worried about this too. These days doctors pretty much refuse to give you narcotic pain relief except in very extreme circumstances, and Tylenol doesn't cut it for extreme pain. I had a terrible toothache and they refused to give me anything even knowing I had surgery and could not take NSAIDs. I was happy that I had leftover meds from my surgery (I really didn't need much for that) and took one when my tooth pain became unbearable.

2 hours ago, kimberlymi said:

Midol has caffeine. My program is a no caffeine before and never again after surgery. This was a point pushed at every class at least 4 or 5 times an hour. We are asked every time was see the NUT, PA or Doctor about caffeine.

Dumb question: What's the problem with caffeine?

Irritates your stomach lining and is also a diuretic. Hard to count up fluidic you're peeing non-stop.

Just now, Frustr8 said:

Irritates your stomach lining and is also a diuretic. Hard to count up fluidic you're peeing non-stop.

I should've known that answer LOL Well I have a problem...for nearly 2 years, every morning I take one Vivarin when my alarm goes off. It's 200mg of caffeine and my coffee replacement...and the only thing that makes getting out of bed bearable...oh man

5 hours ago, kimberlymi said:

Midol has caffeine. My program is a no caffeine before and never again after surgery. This was a point pushed at every class at least 4 or 5 times an hour. We are asked every time was see the NUT, PA or Doctor about caffeine.

Same here. They were very clear that we are not to consume any caffeine for at least a year but it would be best to just give it up completely. No coffee, even caffeine free. I’ve been drinking Coffee substitute and it’s been ok though I do get an occasional headache from giving up caffeine

Wow mine was only for 30 days postop no caffeine. I do flavored teas and at work I do half decaf half reg and use caramel protein drink as a creamer

On 12/18/2018 at 17:37, Kimmie K said:

I should've known that answer LOL Well I have a problem...for nearly 2 years, every morning I take one Vivarin when my alarm goes off. It's 200mg of caffeine and my coffee replacement...and the only thing that makes getting out of bed bearable...oh man

I only got off caffeine for about a month before and after my surgery (I think). I drink 3-4 oz. of coffee with skim milk and get in extra water. Nothing bad has happened to me, my surgeon said the caffeine ban was to make it easier to diagnose complications, and I haven’t had any. It’s risky behavior, but I just couldn’t function without it.

I was like you and took Advil regularly. I have not needed it since surgery except a couple times and it wasn’t bad. With losing weight and being more active, my cramps are not near as bad. I would recommend getting a hood heating pad and taking hot showers. Also I’ve started getting a pedicure once a month and the foot rubs really help with the cramps! I thought my life would be over without Advil but I haven’t taken it or any substitute. Sometimes the things we worry about beforehand are non issues once we are post-op. Good luck!!

Update on the topical Diclofenac. My right knee, hip, and ankle were murdering me a bit ago and I applied some to my knee and ankles and the topical NSAID actually helped some. Nothing like pounding prescription NSAIDS or 2400mg of Ibuprofen... but it did provide some relief! First time since surgery I've had a flareup.

Does the no-NSAIDs apply to gastric sleeve patients or only bypass? I didn't know about any of this! o.o

Both ,although I believe RnY bypass more. The more you learn the more you need to learn, only the outside world thinks this is the "Easy Way Out", we, who have done,or are doing it know BETTER!

5 hours ago, Frustr8 said:

Both ,although I believe RnY bypass more. The more you learn the more you need to learn, only the outside world thinks this is the "Easy Way Out", we, who have done,or are doing it know BETTER!

Oh yeah, this is going to be a huge problem. I take Voltaren XR right now for chronic pains, and it's just about the only thing that's halfway working. I've tried Tramadol as well, and it had no effect on me, even with a large dose (which I was already wary of taking to begin with since the drug can be problematic.)

I'm having the sleeve done (not bypass) and wasn't informed of this at all, regarding NSAIDs. I have another pre-op appointment on Jan. 9th though where I can bring this up to discuss.

Maybe you will be like my buddy Mousecat(??) and as long as it is bypassing your intestinal system it will be okay.

I use Blu-Emu for pain and it's expensive but it does work.