My doc just put me on new meds. Will I be able to take them after surgery? One of them comes in a capsule form so I can't cut it or crush it. Will it get stuck?:mad2:

I would find out if the meds come in another form such as chewable or liquid. Did your script come from your surgeon or another doctor? Do they know you are banded?

I took all my questionable medications to my dietician's appointment. She said that the capsules should be about the size of a Tylenol caplet or smaller and the pills about the size of an M&M or smaller. She told me which ones I could take and the ones that I needed liquid for. Then I asked my pharmacist if there are different forms of the medications.

I take tons of medicines.. I am going to have to look at them again I hadn't really thought about this.

Do ask for elixirs, chewables, etc. for everything you get. I cannot take pills at all. I've tried a few times. I have to crush them, chew them (same thing), or get an elixit/chewable alternative. I tried once to take a pill about the size of a Tylenol. I cut it into 4 pieces, and had one of my worst PBs on one of the tiny pieces.

I've had to take a capsule once. I put it in a bowl, punctured it with a knife, and squeezed as much of the liquid out as I could... then mixed the liquid with apple juice. It was nasty and made my throat and mouth burn for a good 3 hours. Plus the capsules are tough - it was a lot more work than this makes it sound like. If I never need to take that particular thing again, I will ask a pharmacist about a liquid or chewable equivalent.

Wheetsin-- To not be able to take pills is really scary! I take a number of medications that cannot be crushed, broken, or chewed, and only come in pill form. I am so ready for surgery, but I have to have my meds. Any advice?

Some people can take pills. I personally can't. But I hear from people who can take all kinds of pills. Perhaps start off by asking your family doc (or whomever orders the rx) if there's a liquid or chewable alternative, and get your rx switched. If you don't have any alternatives other than to take the full pill, then make sure your surgeon knows this. It may impact the amount of fill you're able to have. My surgeon (actually it may have been the dietician, I don't remember) told me I would be able to take anything up to the size of an M&M, but that's sooo not the case.

I'm not banded yet...April 2nd. I take Nexium (capsule). Does anyone know if it comes in a liquid form??? I also will be taking Cymbalta. I haven't gotten it filled yet so I don't know what form it comes in. I'm going to MX to have my surgery so I haven't talked to my surgeon about it. Wasn't an issue until now since my doc just prescribed these.

Sounds like it depends on the size of the pill and the person huh?

A quick google search found:

You can take Nexium as a capsule or liquid. Take...

I'm sure you can Google and find more detailed info.

Kat225, I also take Nexium and Cymbalta. My dietician said that they should be ok, but I also haven't been banded yet. I looked up Cymbalta on the net, and it cannot be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. It has to be taken whole. I hope that I am one of those people who can take pills. Time will tell.

Wheetsin, Thanks for the advice on telling my surgeon about the pills. I hadn't thought about that.

I had to quit my cymbalta two weeks ago(i'm being banded tomorrow), unfortunately it doesn't come in any other forms than the capsule. The withdrawl has been really,really hard (not to mention being on a liquid diet,too)

Did you have to quit Cymbalta because it interferes with the surgery? Will you be able to take it after surgery? Not to be nosey, but I don't think I can quit taking Cymbalta. I'm also taking Theophylline 450 mg ER, which has to be taken whole. It's a really big pill. It comes in a liquid form, but I would have to take 30 teaspoons per day. Best wishes on your surgery tomorrow. Let us know how you're doing.