While the decreased vitamin and mineral absorption after gastric bypass is very well known and researched, not very much can be found about various drugs absorption or antibiotics absorption. I did a bit of research on this topic since I know UTIs are a concern especially for women. It is interesting to see that some antibiotics absorb as low as 37% while others absorb at 100%. Please see below some articles on this subject.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/754391

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32314257/

https://www.jabfm.org/content/jabfp/20/3/310.full.pdf

https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics-for-uti.html

I've been on antibiotics a handful of times since my surgery (eight years ago) and never had any issues. Maybe some are absorbed in different places of the small intestine than others? Not sure. but I've never had any issues. I also don't think I've had a UTI since I had surgery. I used to get them occasionally prior to surgery. Maybe because it's easier to keep cleaner without all that extra weight (?) (I think I remember reading that a lot of UTIs are caused by fecal bacteria contamination)

EDITED to add: I just glanced at these articles. Yes - one does say that most UTI's are caused by E. coli bacteria - that particular bacteria is usually carried by feces, because there's a ton of E. coli in your intestines. I bet the ability to keep cleaner "down there" is probably the reason I haven't had a UTI in years.

Edited June 26, 20233 yr by catwoman7

I thought the same thing as @catwoman7 in regard to whether an antibiotic will be absorbed well or not would depend on where it is predominately absorbed. It’s the same with all medication & conversations with your surgeon & prescribing doctors are important to decide whether a change of tablet or formulation is needed after your surgery.

After my gall surgery it was discovered I wasn’t absorbing protein well & then we realised I wasn’t absorbing my HRT effectively either. I’m now on a patch for HRT. (Tried to get my script filled today & none in stock - damn world shortage. Going to be some flushed, very cranky women about.) But I tell every doctor about my absorption issue if they are prescribing anything (which is very rare) just in case. Better to be getting the right & needed dose than not.

I thought the same thing as [mention=257598]catwoman7[/mention] in regard to whether an antibiotic will be absorbed well or not would depend on where it is predominately absorbed. It’s the same with all medication & conversations with your surgeon & prescribing doctors are important to decide whether a change of tablet or formulation is needed after your surgery.
After my gall surgery it was discovered I wasn’t absorbing Protein well & then we realised I wasn’t absorbing my HRT effectively either. I’m now on a patch for HRT. (Tried to get my script filled today & none in stock - damn world shortage. Going to be some flushed, very cranky women about.) But I tell every doctor about my absorption issue if they are prescribing anything (which is very rare) just in case. Better to be getting the right & needed dose than not.

Not to change the subject, but they have a vaginal estrogen. Would that work for you in place of your patch short term? Just a thought.

15 hours ago, LindsayT said:

Not to change the subject, but they have a vaginal estrogen. Would that work for you in place of your patch short term? Just a thought.

My pharmacist said he’d have them in by the end of the week so we’ll see. ?? A friend swears by the cream you rub on your thigh so I thought I’d ask my doctor about that if the shortage gets worse. Hadn’t heard about the vaginal cream as no one I know uses it. Thank you for the tip. Good to know about a couple of options.

Edited June 28, 20233 yr by Arabesque

On 6/26/2023 at 11:58 AM, catwoman7 said:

I also don't think I've had a UTI since I had surgery

man, now that u mention it, i haven't had one since surgery (October 2018) either!

i used to get at least one every year or so.

now the thought of my "uncleanliness" makes me shudder. yikes.

12 hours ago, ms.sss said:

man, now that u mention it, i haven't had one since surgery (October 2018) either!

i used to get at least one every year or so.

now the thought of my "uncleanliness" makes me shudder. yikes.

I know - yuck! But...it's a lot harder to reach around when you're carrying a bunch of excess weight. One of those things that few people talk about, but...