So I'm sure millions of people have already asked this but I thought I'd ask anyway. I take 13 tablets a day. The biggest pill of which is a calcium tablet about the same size as a water bottle lid. If your nil by mouth before surgery how are you supposed to take these? The only ones I'm actually worried about not taking are the ones that I am supposed to be on for 5 years, they're tablets that prevent scarring on my lungs and also try to reverse it, I have to take 4 of them twice a day and it also says on the packet that if the powder comes into contact with any skin that you should wash that particular part immediately with soap and do it again a couple of times. So apart from those other questions another one is, I saw that some people say that the Dr's tell them to break the tablet/capsule or spill the powder out or whatever but how would I be able to do that if I have to go through all that if I get it on my skin? I have to be on these tablets, it's either these or steroids so can anyone help me out? Thanks in advance.

I would think these are questions for your gp or surgeon, as there may be smaller forms of the medication available. I do take some large capsules that go down well, but I didn't take them right after my surgery.

I switched to the little chewable chocolate calcium in place of the big pills after my band. They actually have become a bit of a treat for me.

I would think these are questions for your gp or surgeon, as there may be smaller forms of the medication available. I do take some large capsules that go down well, but I didn't take them right after my surgery.

I switched to the little chewable chocolate calcium in place of the big pills after my band. They actually have become a bit of a treat for me.

I didn't know you could get chewable ones, that may just be in america but next time I go to the pharmacy I'll definetly be asking if they have chewable calcium, Vitamin d and b1 lol

Usually your Dr will keep you on all medication that you have to be on - or substitute it if need be.

I have medication I have to take everyday and the week before surgery they changed it and then I went back to my usual medication the day after surgery.

Some doctors say that you'll never be able to take pills/capsules normally ever again, some say it won't be a problem once you're 6-8w post op (mine happens to be in the latter camp).

I take several maintenance medications and was able to switch a bunch over to different formulations for the six week duration to granules that could be sprinkled onto applesauce/pudding. Others can be chopped into small pieces so that they don't get stuck. The only medications that CAN NOT be chopped up/ground to powder form are extended release meds. (So, in my case, I had to go from Wellbutrin XL 300mg to Wellbutrin 100mg 3 times a day until I can go back to the regular pill.) So, I'd talk to your pharmacist, pulmonologist and surgeon about that specific med and explain your concerns. I'm sure that they will establish a protocol for you. (The reason I suggest the pharmacist be involved is that surprisingly, the majority of physicians are NOT familiar with the actual appearance/size of medications. I had to actually bring mine with me to the office to demonstrate what it is that I take each day.)

With regard to the calcium, there are several out there that are chewable. My surgeon has prescribed me ones specific to Lap Band patients from this place bariatricadvantage.com. The only thing that I've figured out that makes them different than anything else is that they don't have calories or sugar. But if you google, you will find all kinds of chewable calcium.

As far as preop meds go, anything that you need to take the day of surgery - with the obvious exception of coumadin/asprin/ibuprofen products - you can take with a sip of Water. I've had several surgeries and that's *ALWAYS* been the case. The last thing they want you to do is to have some sort of pulmonocardiac/diabetic/whatever episode on the table.

Good luck

-m

ETA - I'm speaking of my firsthand experience. I'm not a doctor, I'm not your doctor - go talk to him or her about this sort of thing to be sure! :crying:

Edited April 16, 200818 yr by dancinglamb

Call me a black sheep, here, but I've never had a problem with even a horse pill looking vitamin.

I had the same concerns. I've had absolutely no problem swallowing and keeping down all of my vitamins and Rx's. I did do some liquid vitamins and calcium for about two weeks post op, then on to my regular regime. I hope you will be the same.

SS

Perhaps you should talk to your doctor about this. The last thing you want is to get that thing clogged!