Hi everyone, I'm 5-days post op and wondering about the best way to take pills? My doctor says I will never be able to swallow pills whole again, and that they must be crushed. Even after 5 days it's becoming a hassle, and no matter what I take the crushed pills with (juice, applesauce), I still have that bitter taste in my mouth! Anyone else have this issue, or have any suggestions on how ot make this process not so irritating?

I don't have any trouble with swallowing pills, at all. I used to cut them in half but don't even bother anymore. The only thing I can't seem to take is Multivitamins, because they make me nauseated. That was true before the surgery, too. Those I take in liquid form.

I don't think it would be good to take any pills that are erosive, as they could sit in your pouch. I no longer take NSAIDS like motrin because of their effect on the stomach lining (that effect is pharmacologic, so is as likely to occur with liquid form).

My doc prescribed my pain meds in pill form. I was swallowing whole pills the day I had surgery and still have no problem with it at all. Maybe try your crushed meds in some FF Chocolate Pudding?

I have pretty good restriction (must chew things like beef and chicken really well, small bites, white bread alone is not do-able although I can eat like 1/2 sandwich, I can eat a flour tortilla) anyway I just took my 20 pills tonight. (it's a bunch but it's things like a 6-pack multi, 2 osteo biflex, etc etc...) not a one was crushed or smushed or dissolved. Some are large enough to have given me trouble preband (and I am not a person who has trouble swallowing) I was told that most people with the band have no trouble swallowing pills. My doc even told me I could take NSAIDS, because I take them right before a meal, so that they go through my pouch, but don't sit in my stomach without some food to cushion them.

I am NOT saying to ignore your doc, but maybe reconfirm? That was one of the very first things I asked my surgeon at the seminar...

I was told to take them 1 at a time, with lots of water to wash them through but I have forgot and taken 2 Excedrin together with no problems.

I was told that I should be able to take even my biggest pills. I have one that is time released Niacin even with the time release it sometimes bothers me with a pins and needles flush feeling so I can't cut it up. But they said if I take a handfull at once, which I do, I probably couldn't do that I'd have to take one at a time.

I still take pills. I will admit to cutting some of them (like tylenol) just in case. My doc said any pills the size of an pencil eraser are ok. I do take a chewable vitamin just because I am not willing to risk getting stuck on such a large pill. I would talk again to your surgeon for clarification. Always do whatever your surgeon says.

Same here, no problem taking any pills. My surgeon said to try & keep pills smaller then an M&M but I've taken pills larger then that with no problem

Some pills I can swallow easily, like the Tylenol, but only 1 at a time.

some pills i can't...these are very very bitter, so I mix them with Jam or Peanut Butter...for me that worked the best. Especially if it's sour jam, like sour cherries or blackberries. I buy the "no sugar added" kind. Sometimes you still can taste the pill, but it's a small price to pay.

the most annoying thing though was to crush the pills, so I went to the pharmacy and bought a pill crusher, which does it easier that with 2 spoons and is alot less messier. I mix the jam right in there once it's crushed.

Thank you all for your responses...I definitely think I need to reconfirm with my doc. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow. I do wonder why he seemed so definite that I will "never be able to swallow pills again", when most of you have done it with little or no problems! Thank you guys again :rolleyes2:

That is so funny. I posted on this same topic, too. My doc said and then reconfirmed at the post op apt that I am to crush all pills. He said that he rarely sees people get into medical trouble with the band, but when he does, it is from pills getting stuck. I have really been bumbling around with the crushing of the pills, and I have almost vomited from the bitter taste or the thickness of the jam. I just can't seem to get in the groove with this matter, but another fellow recommended tomato juice. I am going to give that a try.

Hi everyone, I'm 5-days post op and wondering about the best way to take pills? My doctor says I will never be able to swallow pills whole again, and that they must be crushed. Even after 5 days it's becoming a hassle, and no matter what I take the crushed pills with (juice, applesauce), I still have that bitter taste in my mouth! Anyone else have this issue, or have any suggestions on how ot make this process not so irritating?

I was instructed no pills for two weeks post op. I have been able to take pills no problem. I am about 5 weeks post op. I actually took a pretty big prescption ib profin this morning because I can't turn my neck from sleeping in a bad position. It went down no problem. I do not belive you have to crush pills for the rest of your life. It went right down for me no issues at all...

All my paper work from the hospital also says after two weeks you can take your medicaltions - pills.

Each dr has different rules about so many things with this procedure. I wish they would all get on the same page and give us the accurate information.

For me it all depends on my restriction. I can swallow most smaller round pills. So, for pain relievers I go for tablets. The capsuls and caplets go down most of the time but if I am tight like just after a fill, I avoid them. Gel caps slide down better than the coated capsuls/caplets. I find that breaking a caplet before swallowing is even harder to get down, the uncoated broken edge gets stuck. I get chewable vitamins because they go down easily and so I am more likely to keep up with them.

The only pill I can't take whole is a Dayquil tablet LOL

That things huge and I learned the hard way.

Are you still able to take birth control pills after having the lap band surgery? Does anyone know?

Are you still able to take birth control pills after having the lap band surgery? Does anyone know?

No reason why you shouldn't be able to, are they large pills?