Hi:

What is the situation with prescription medications after surgery? I take a cocktail of psychotropics and the psychiatrist stated there would be no problem with the pills but I wanted to get the advice of experienced bandsters. My condition is genetic not metabolical so medication is a necessity.

Thanks!

Cheryl Elizabeth

I was banded on Monday and take daily meds and have had no problems. My one a day vitamin is a horse pill so I cut it in half which is about the size of my other medication. I spoke with the bariactric coordinator on Thursday and asked her a question. My question was, "What was the size of the opening between my new stomach pouch and my lower stomach. She wasn't entirely sure but she was guessing somewhere between and inch and an inch and a half. I'd have no concerns over swallowing your pills. Sips fluids after and that should help. More experienced bansters may help more but that's my guess.

Hi:

What is the situation with prescription medications after surgery? I take a cocktail of psychotropics and the psychiatrist stated there would be no problem with the pills but I wanted to get the advice of experienced bandsters. My condition is genetic not metabolical so medication is a necessity.

Thanks!

Cheryl Elizabeth

To be honest with you, my doctor says NO whole pills after surgery. I have to crush all of my pills. Now, I do admit that I know others who take whole pills and haven't had a problem. A friend bragged constantly how she can take any size pill without a problem. She got a fill and had great restriction, took her pills and got stuck! She was stuck for 3 days, had to go to the ER to get a total unfill! She's now back to square one with no restriction and has gained 10lbs back. She had lost 84! I think you have to be extremely careful. If you have excellent restriction, which we all strive for with our band, whole pills won't work well. Is there a way you can at least cut the pills to a smaller size? Or do any of your meds come in liquid form?

I was banded on Monday and take daily meds and have had no problems. My one a day vitamin is a horse pill so I cut it in half which is about the size of my other medication. I spoke with the bariactric coordinator on Thursday and asked her a question. My question was, "What was the size of the opening between my new stomach pouch and my lower stomach. She wasn't entirely sure but she was guessing somewhere between and inch and an inch and a half. I'd have no concerns over swallowing your pills. Sips fluids after and that should help. More experienced bansters may help more but that's my guess.

Once you have full restriction, after several fills, most likely -- your passage between the top pouch and the lower stomach is about the size of a pencil top eraser. A baby aspirin size is about as big of a pill you should take whole.

Hi:

What is the situation with prescription medications after surgery? I take a cocktail of psychotropics and the psychiatrist stated there would be no problem with the pills but I wanted to get the advice of experienced bandsters. My condition is genetic not metabolical so medication is a necessity.

Thanks!

Cheryl Elizabeth

My doctor lets me take my pills, but suggests that I cut them in half if they are to big.

My doctor said most people have no problem with pills.

You just need to coordinate with your surgeon and psych doctor. You should be fine. I know some "extended release" pills need to be switched to regular because once you have restriction you kind of have built in extended release, and so on....

your surgeon and doc are better sources of info for your situation!

Once you have full restriction, after several fills, most likely -- your passage between the top pouch and the lower stomach is about the size of a pencil top eraser. A baby aspirin size is about as big of a pill you should take whole.

Thank you. That's great information to know. After my surgery my doctor told me I could take my medication without a problem. But we haven't talked about medication after a fill.