Question:
How long do we use chewable supplements?
How long do we wait to be able to use gel caplets or anything other than chewable? I hate the feeling of them getting stuck in my teeth! :) Thanks guys.. — Lauren003 (posted on April 19, 2006)
April 19, 2006
Depends on what your surgeon says, really. Mine says you can take regular
supps from the start, they just have to be cut in 1/2. Also, my
nutritionist mentioned a spray vitamin. You can get liquid form too, in
most health food/natural food stores, but they're pretty expensive.
— nicolerod
April 19, 2006
I was told to take Flinstone chewable vitamins (I actually suck on them-the
nut said it was ok)-they told me for the first 6-8 weeks. I also have that
feeling of having them stuck and getting "squeeky teeth"!
— chris123
April 19, 2006
I heard that you take it for the first 6 months. But do not take children
chewable vitamins. Because they are for children not adults.
— Kim W.
April 19, 2006
I was instructed to take the Flinstones Chewable Vitamins with Iron FOR
KIDS. I took two a day until my six week check up when I got off pureed
foods and on to regular foods. Now I take Centrum Silver (one cut in half)
every day by swallowing it with water. Hope this helps.
— jeanfergus
April 19, 2006
I was told to not take anything bigger than an english pea prior to 6
weeks...unless they were cut up or crushed. I opted to keep with the
chewables..rather than choke down crushed pills. After 6 weeks I was
allowed to take pills...by that time you are able to drink enough fluid at
a time to get them down smoothly....bottomline...as your surgeon what his
timeline is...
— mmcphee1
April 19, 2006
I never was told to take chewables, but I was told to crush all pills and
open all capsules. Not for any certain time, but after about a year they
told me it was ok to cut some in half... or if they were smaller than a pea
I could take them. However, I continue to crush my pills because I have a
friend who does colonoscopys(sp?) and tells me of how pills are many times
not absorbed completely even with people that have not had surgery.
Personally, at this point I just chew all of my pills... I don't really
even take the time to crush them. Good luck.
Amber
— septembergirl73
April 19, 2006
I think it depends on the person. Post-op I was taking my medications
orally in capsules and tablets when I was discharged. I couldn't take them
crushed cause they would make me sick and some of my medication can't be
crushed or is not in liquid form. To help them go down sometimes I use
yogurt to make them slide down better.
— Deborah Joyner
April 19, 2006
I'm on Dilantin, which is a medicine directions say that you cannot open
the little kapseal. My surgeon prescribed it in the liquid form which was
so awful (to me at least, I couldn't keep it down) that as soon as I was
discharged from the hospital three days out from surgery, I started myself
back on the little kapseals. They are a very small pill but I took only
one at a time and spaced them out so that I had a good amount of time in
between them. I don't necessarily recommend it but in my case, I
absolutely couldn't stomach taking the liquid. The best thing that you can
do is talk to your surgeon about your concerns and see what they say.
Mary
— Mary-Margaret
April 19, 2006
This summer I am 5 years out. Still take flintstones with iron, vitamins
ALWAYS even pre op made me ill, the flintstones dont upset my stomach...
— bob-haller
April 20, 2006
I am 3 yrs post op ...I take 2 chewable flintstone vitamins or the
storebrand equivilant...everyday... I was told to do this by my surgeon
because of the absorbtion issues that we have...he said many times that
capsules or tablets do not absorb before they have gone out of the stomach
and then its too late.... he didn't give me a timeline to go to pills.
Vera
— angel_kisses_49
April 20, 2006
Hello. Mey Doc said that I can start with normal once right away but to cut
them smaller so there wont get stuck. She also said that whe I use the once
for children to eat 2 of them so is all coverd up.I take the chew once now
because I hate to take pills already and I take to may medication already
so I can deal with the chewble once. I trink some after ward to get them
out the theeth.
— Babylove05
April 21, 2006
~Hello
first and foremost i would suggest that you speak to your surgeon about
what he feels is best for his patients. I personally am 16 days post-op and
take combinations of chewables and solid pills. My largest being bigger
than a pea and i swallow it whole 3 times a day without crushing it. I
think it will also depend on your stomachs ability to take the pills
swallowed, i have not had any problems thus far but everyone is different.
My surgeon suggests to take chewables or liquid vitamins for @ least 3
months post-op. (however every case is different and should be discussed
with the doctor) because i just could'nt take crushing/or some of the
liquid forms...i just went for the swallow :) and for me it worked fine.
— tiffany E.
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