Can he take NSAIDs after the bariatric sleeve surgery?

I had the gastric sleeve on March 24, 2014, and I have arthritis pretty bad in my shoulder. I am wondering if or when I can take Mobic? I really need something because Tylenol just don't cut it.

Bruce Schrader

Run it by your surgeon but my bet is no.  NSAIDS all run the risk of causing stomach bleeding and that's the last thing you want now.  I was taken off Mobic 1 week prior to surgery and have not been allowed back on yet.  (4.5 weeks out)  

This is one that varies a lot by surgeon.  I have the sleeve, and I take NSAIDS daily for arthritis, starting back the day after I was released from the hospital, but some surgeons don't allow it.

Sleeve and DS are the two procedures that you CAN take NSAIDS. Just know that your stomach is still susceptible to ulcers, so you should be mindful of that not to pop them like candy (just as if you had no wls at all)

ANYONE who takes NSAIDS on a daily basis  are susceptible to damage by NSAIDs regardless of whether we had a band, VSG, RNY or DS because they systemically thin the stomach lining.

The only reason RNY'ers are told not to take NSAIDS is because the remnant stomach cannot be scoped.   There is nothing "special" about an RNY that makes ulcers more likely than anyone else!

Truth is, very few of us undergo scoping to detect ulcers, and most treatment protocols are to just prescribe Carafate or other drugs without an official diagnosis.

Actually, there is a specific reason for the RNY being more sensitive to NSAIDs than the other common WLS procedures - the part of the intestine that is brought up and joined to the pouch around the stoma is not resistant to stomach acid, unlike the duodenum, (the part of the small intestine immediately below the stomach,) which is bypassed along with the stomach in the RNY. Consequently, the suture line at that point is continually irritated by the acid environment and never fully heals, making it particularly susceptible to ulcers. We had a guy on the men's board here a couple of years ago who developed a severe bleeding ulcer at that point due to this well-known problem (or should be well-known.) Minor continual bloodloss at this point is also a fairly common occurance, which can compound the iron malabsorption inherent in the RNY configuration, which is also why bypass patients tend to need more iron supplements or infusions than even DS patients.

The inability to scope the remnant stomach is a secondary concern, as it involves diagnosing a potential problem rather than creating one that didn't exist prior to surgery.

Since the bands, VSG and DS maintain the normal relationship between the functioning stomach and duodenum, they don't have this particular problem, though as noted by others, NSAIDs can be problematic even for normal (non-WLS) people so continual use of them should be monitored by a physician.

So my suture line has never healed and I am continually bleeding - wow - surprised I have survived this long - good job I have my estate planning done   I mis-spoke when saying the only reason was the inability to scope - I think it would be fair to say that "some" have healing problems, but I doubt we ALL have!

I don't doubt that some RNY'ers are more susceptible to ulcers, especially as people who have GERD, Barretts etc are encouraged to have an RNY rather than VSG, or even DS, (not my recommendation) thereby creating a population with higher risk,    but it is disingenuous to suggest that taking NSAIDS with a VSG or DS'ers is perfectly ok for everyone too.  

Sporadic or even regular NSAID use should be considerd in conjuction with medical history and acceptance of risk by everyone

Yes, in general.  One of the reasons people choose VSG over RNY us the ability to take NSAIDs. But do very soon post-op, ask your doctor  

It's definitely worth asking your drs about. Tylenol doesn't do much for arthritis pain. :(

Mobic is the NSAID most gentle on the stomach, but I think you should wait until you're farther out before you try it. You have my sympathy---I've had extensive arthritis for the past 35 years.