Home medications after surgery
Hi, I'm planning a revision from my lap band to VSG and I had a question about taking your usual meds after surgery . . .
I only take 3 medications on a daily basis, one of which is time-release and therefore cannot be crushed. I was reading the info the surgeon gave me and it says you have to be switched to liquid or crushable meds after surgery but it doesn't explain why. Does anyone have an explanation? I'm terrible with stuff that tastes bad and I am dreading having to take crushed meds in applesauce or something. What is the big deal about just taking a couple small pills whole? When I had my lap band we had to crush meds b/c they didn't want them to get stuch in the small opening that the lap band created. But with VSG, it seems like even though your stomach is smaller, the opening leading to it is still the same size. I'm just having a hard time understanding why meds would have to be crushed. I mean, I have no problem sticking to whatever liquid, purreed, etc. diet is required, I just don't want to have to taste my pills! LOL I know, I'm a big baby. lol
Did anyone's surgeon just let them swallow pills whole right from the start?
Thanks!
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle
SW: 237lbs | Lap Band Feb 2010 | LW: 188lbs | Post op baby Feb 2013 | July 2015 slipped band diagnosed | Oct 2015 band port eroded through adominal wall | 10/20/15 lap band removed | Regained to 215lbs | VSG: 12/4/2015 | LW: 148lbs but settled around 154lbs | Post-op baby #2 born Jan 2018 | CW: 160lbs
My surgeon also told me to take crushed pills and I have one time release med. My psych switched me to a non-time release version with a dosage adjustment. You're right-- the taste of the crushed pills was horrible. After a month I decided to start swallowing them again with no problems. I asked the pharmacist if there was any digestive problem with time release and he said no, digesting in the colon is OK, so psych put me back on them. IMHO, I think you should follow you're doctor's advice at least to start with.
Age 63, HW 289, SW 273
The ASMBS doesn't have a problem with us swallowing pills right after surgery. My surgeon was okay with "small pills." I kept taking my pills with zero problems.
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
Thanks, that helps! Sorry if this is a dumb question but what is the ASMBS?
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle
SW: 237lbs | Lap Band Feb 2010 | LW: 188lbs | Post op baby Feb 2013 | July 2015 slipped band diagnosed | Oct 2015 band port eroded through adominal wall | 10/20/15 lap band removed | Regained to 215lbs | VSG: 12/4/2015 | LW: 148lbs but settled around 154lbs | Post-op baby #2 born Jan 2018 | CW: 160lbs
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. :)
VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)
Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170
TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)
I kinda figured that it was the American something something Bariatric Surgery LOL . . .couldn't for the life of me think what the "M" would stand for! :)
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle
SW: 237lbs | Lap Band Feb 2010 | LW: 188lbs | Post op baby Feb 2013 | July 2015 slipped band diagnosed | Oct 2015 band port eroded through adominal wall | 10/20/15 lap band removed | Regained to 215lbs | VSG: 12/4/2015 | LW: 148lbs but settled around 154lbs | Post-op baby #2 born Jan 2018 | CW: 160lbs
I am hoping you get some good advice here because I'm having the same problem. I tried crushing my pills and mixing them with drinks but they still taste awful! (I still have 2 wks until surgery but I want to know I can handle my meds so I'm testing them now) I was told to mix with applesauce but I'm supposed to be on liquids only for the first 2 wks after so that doesn't help. There has got to be a way to disguise the taste!
I've been taking pills whole since day 1...same as many others here.
Lanie; Age: 43; Surgery Date (VSG): 8/12/14 w/complications resulting in RNY next day;
Height: 5' 6" SW: 249 Comfort Zone: 135-140 CW: 138 (10/13/17)
M1: -25 lbs M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -7 M5: -11 M6: -10 M7: -7 M8: -7 M9: -3 M10: -8 M11: -4 M12: -4
5K PR - 24:15 (4/23/16) First 10K - 53:30 (10/18/15)
Good to know! Thanks!
"You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit" -Aristotle
SW: 237lbs | Lap Band Feb 2010 | LW: 188lbs | Post op baby Feb 2013 | July 2015 slipped band diagnosed | Oct 2015 band port eroded through adominal wall | 10/20/15 lap band removed | Regained to 215lbs | VSG: 12/4/2015 | LW: 148lbs but settled around 154lbs | Post-op baby #2 born Jan 2018 | CW: 160lbs
My surgeon has no problem with swallowing whole pills from day 1 as long as they are small enough to fit through a normal size wedding ring. I was swallowing pills 3 hours after surgery.
Definitely check with your pharmacist about different forms of meds, it may be possible to get them all switched to liquid or some other easier/better-tasting form or medication.
