Question:
Should I try to stop taking Percocet before my surgery?

I am "hoping to have surgery" and do not have an exact date yet, but believe it will be March or April of 2009 when I have Gastric Bypass. I am currently on pain medication for my severe joint pain. My doctor writes me prescriptions for Percocet and I can take 1-2/day as needed. I'm just wondering if I should try to wean myself down on this medication so that when I have pain from the surgery, the medicine will work better... has anyone else been in this situation? Please help!    — Clumsybarbie (posted on December 26, 2008)

December 25, 2008
I wouldnt worry about it. Firstly I didnt have alot of pain. Secondly the can adjust you pain meds for you post-op. I will say that you do need to wean yourself off. If it something you take on a daily basis. Check with you PMD, weather you do it pre or post op. I used to do homehealth and took care of a lady with a below knee amputation. She had a would for about a year before the amputation taking vicodin on a daily basis. One her surgical pain went away she quit taking vicodin. I went one day for a wound check and she was feeling very jittery due to vicodin withdrawls. So we had her taper down over a week. Good luck
   — urbrat2

December 25, 2008
typo: she had a wound
   — urbrat2

December 25, 2008
I am not a doctor and I first talk with your PCP and Surgeon.Good Luck
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 25, 2008
I was on Perks prior to my gastric bypass and I stayed on it until day fo surgery for joint pain from Fibromyalgia and then while in hospital they gave me what I needed and when I came home, honestly it was like I was a new person, joint pain gone, no pain meds but once in a while when weather is bad and it hurts bad. I mean you can ask your doctor but pain is pain and if you stop them you will be hurting with joint pain. So I would not, I hate pain and I survivied. Donna
   — WannaBThin4OnceInMyLife

December 26, 2008
I was on pain meds for my arthristis up til 2 weeks before surgery...I forgot the name of the stuff (been 5 years) but it was not an addictive med like percocet or oxycodone. It was a NSAID and after RNY those are strictly forbidden for several reasons (talk to your doc)...AFTER surgery however...They prescribed me percocet or oxycodone (again can't remember which) for a month and no longer than that. My arthritis went away quite rapidly after significant weight loss...I lost quite a bit of weight my first 3 months and that took so much pressure off my knees (I could barely walk with a cane for over a year prior and in a few weeks I laid my cane to rest) Now that I've lost 150 lbs it's been 5 years pain free...I still have minor flares on rainy days...but NOTHING as dibilitating as being MO with RA! Now I take two (non -coated tablets of Tylenol on not so good days) I am totally fine after that...At the first signs of aches and pains I start a months worth of glucosamine and chondroitin and that often stops a bad flare up in it's tracks for a good long time.... If your pain is bad...unless your doc says you have to stop...I wouldn't...I know what it's like to have that pain! It gets so much better after surgery...I rarely take any meds for anything at all after surgery! Including OTC meds...
   — .Anita R.

December 26, 2008
I was never in pain after surgery, just mild discomfort. While in the hospital I had a pain pump and I could push the button as often as needed. The surgeon prescribed liquid pain medication for when I went home. There are many options for pain management and you should contact your physician before self-medicating. A good trained professional should be able to help you. Good luck.
   — maria09elena

December 27, 2008
I take a pain reliever three times a day for spinal tumors/disk hernias and I'm 5 weeks post op. Do not wean yourself down. Your doctor will tell you when this should take place. He will also monitor your progress. I can not wait until the day when I will be totally pain-med free (and skinny).
   — Annie_Marie

December 28, 2008
The best answer to this guestion is to talk to your bariatric surgeon. He is the best to let you know what you need to do. There are some meds that can't be taken after GBS. Daryl L.
   — Daryl L.

December 28, 2008
I wouldn't worry about weaning yourself down on your medication, I had spinal fusion surgery in 6/05 and will be on pain meds for the rest of my life, just make sure that the hospital nows what your on, so they can order that for you,I had my RNY in 11/07, and I made sure that the hospital new what dose and how much i was taken! Hope that helps! My prayers and thoughts are with you, I suffer from chronic pain every day so I know what you are feeling! Good luck! Lisa
   — lisa3959

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