Question:
how do you take medications right after surgery?
I am hoping to be approved for this surgery, I am still waiting to see the surgeon, so I haven't been able to ask questions about things yet, so am hoping someone at this site may know the answer. I take 5 prescriptions daily that I must have. I take 2 anxiety medications for panic attacks and I am scared thinking that I may not be able to swallow those right after surgery, because I have read they don't allow any thing, even liquids. I have not been without my meds since my first panic attack, and fear one if I don't have the pills I may get nervous. thanks for any info :) — taterbug898 (posted on April 17, 2004)
April 17, 2004
I had to crush my pills and mix them with like applesauce. I also have to
take Actigal for my gallbladder for 6 months and had to open the capsule
and pour that into jelly to take it. And my doctor had me on the chewable
vitamins. This is all only until 6 weeks. Then you can swallow your
pills. But you can never take anything time-released because by the time
it would "release" it would have gone through you! Best of luck
to you.
— Cheryl D.
April 17, 2004
Melinda,
I think it depends on which surgery and what your surgeon's protocol is. I
was taking regular pills by mouth just a few days post-op. However, I am a
BPD/DS post-op - not gastric bypass post-op. The pill issue was a very
important one for me, too - since I have degenerative joint disease in my
back, and must be able to take pain medication when my back acts up.
Hope that helps!
Blessings,
dina
— Dina McBride
April 17, 2004
Dont worry your surgeon will keep you ion your meds. WLS is tought enough
without going thru withdrawl or having panic attacks. They call it keeping
you well titrated and there are a variety of ways besides big pills to do
this. Do raise your worry with the surgeon but it shouldnt be a problem.
— bob-haller
April 17, 2004
I had a g-tube and they used that in the hospital but once I was home I
went to taking them by mouth which was fine with my surgeon. My meds I
must take are small to medium, so it worked out fine. Most depression and
anxiety meds are small enough.
<p>The first day of surgery they likely won't give you your meds but
you will be out of it and won't care. I'm sure there are some things they
can give you by IV that will work for a day or two. Trust me, they will
take care of it because they want you to be focused on getting well and not
worrying about all kinds of things. The meds issue will work itself out!
— zoedogcbr
April 18, 2004
Hi Melinda-I had my surgery lap 3/4/04-I've been on Zoloft for anxiety for
4 years and in the hospital they made sure I always took my Zoloft. The
nurses brought it to me crushed every morning. I also take Singulair for
asthma but they couldn't crush that. I had to crush my pills for the first
week but I just take them normal now. Especially since this is a
"stressful situation" the nurses will definetly make sure you
have your meds! Good luck :)
— mzcath
April 18, 2004
well , yes u can take ur meds after surgery but u will have to crush them
because that is what i had to do . i have sezuries and have to take them
every day with out missing them . so i bought a pill crusher and lots of
applesauce and drinkle yogurt ( like danibales) they work real well . i
made it through and soo will u i have faith in u
— lizzie72
April 18, 2004
It also can depend on the size of the pill........I had to take Synthroid
and since it was a tiny pill, I just took it as I usually did. No problems
and after about a month, I could swallow any size pill without a problem.
Previous poster is right..........the nursing staff will make sure you have
your medication in a form that you can handle.
— SCbabe B.
April 18, 2004
I am 10 days post op and so far have had no problem taking any of my meds.
The small ones and capsalls are easy. I take 2 that a farely large and I
just break them in half.
— mary M.
April 18, 2004
Hi! I wondered the same thing before my surgery. I also take 2 meds
(diazepam & buspar) for panic attacks. While I was in the hospital, I
got my diazepam in a shot, and after I went home I was told I could take
tablets (no capsuls or time release) as long as they were smaller than the
size of a plain M&M (nice comparison for WLS patients). So, I bought a
pill cutter. I would take my pill, wait 15 minutes than take the next part
of the pill. It felt like it was taking forever, but I got them in! I do
the same thing with my zoloft, and thankfully have had no problems. Good
Luck! Kelly Open RNY 11/20/2002 ****315/125****
— klinzey
April 18, 2004
My rule of thumb was if it was larger than the size of an M&M, I tried
to chop it in half if it was the type of pill that could be chopped.
Otherwise I asked my doctor. As far as taking the pills, I took them one
at a time with crushed pineapple and it worked like a charm. I still use
fruit to take medications today.
— Cathy S.
April 18, 2004
I was so worried about this too and then in the hospital they gave me my
pills and so I thought .well ..so I took them and have ever since..no
problem..good luck
— Kathy S.
April 19, 2004
Well, first thing is to talk to your surgeon about your fears. This can be
a high-anxiety time for you. You may be able to have some or all of your
medications in IV form. Also, you will probably have a leak test the day
after your surgery, and once that is clear (usually the results are
available immediatly) you will begin sipping water. With the water, you may
be able to dissolve your pills or have them crushed in applesauce or
something else. You might want to give some thought to trying some
meditation techniques (I don't know much about them but anything is worth a
try). Also, you will be given pain meds via IV that may have an
anti-anxiety/relaxation effect-- I had Tordal and Demerol. I felt pretty
good.
— lizinPA
April 19, 2004
I was worried about that as well since I suffer from bipolar disorder and
didn't need that getting out of control! The doctor worked with the
pharmacist and team psychiatrist to find out what could be changed to IV or
liquid for the first couple of days and what could be held. Then, I had to
crush the ones I needed for the first week or so. Then, I could swallow
them as usual, no problem. Talk to your surgeon and let him know your
concerns. They are just as concerned as you are. Good luck and all will
work out fine.
Kathy
Open rny 2/10/03
215/120/at goal
— kathyb
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