Post op question

Hey you post op gurus...just had a thought the other day. What happens when you are sick, or need to take a tylenol or motrin for a headache or something? Do you take liquid or are you able to take pills? JUst thoughts running through my head while I am waiting for my surgery March 22nd. Thanks for your input. D'Lynn

My surgeon says no whole pills or time released meds until one year out; some people I know crush their pills up. I was told you can purchase liquid Tylenol at Walmart and some other places, you just have to ask the pharmacist because they keep it behind the counter. If you take regular prescription meds, you should consult your doctor about what they prefer. Good luck with your surgery Kelly S

Hi D'Lynn Very early out you may want to check with your surgeon first just to be safe, however, for me I have been able to take Tylenol since surgery - no restrictions on that from my surgeon. I think the main thing you have to watch are the really large pills & be sure to stay away from NSAIDS, asprin, etc unless your doc instructs otherwise. Hope that helps. Good luck with your upcoming surgery & God bless Angel

I TAKE LIQUID TYLENOL

I take liquid Tylenol also. We are not supposed to take anything with Aspirin in it EVER again. Only Acetaminophen is acceptable. Also, I have to crush all of my pill right now (I am a month out). So I guess it is up to the Doctor. I do not have the headaches I used to have before I had the surgery. I have not taken the Tylenol very often. Carol

I agree with the other poster, seems like I don't get headaches like I used to. In the earlier stages I had to split all my pills, but now at almost 8 months out I seem to be able to take pills as usual. I do have some of the liquid Tylenol, and used the liquid Cold and flu stuff when I was sick, cause I wanted to make sure it worked and the liquid goes into your system immediately. I believe the big issue for most surgeons, other than the possibility of a pill too large getting stuck in your stoma, is that pills pass through our system so quickly now that you might not be getting all the benefits from it. That's the reason for no time release medications. I saw on TV the other night that Tylenol has now come out with a quick release capsule that actually has little holes in it so the medicine gets into your system quicker. I think I'm going to give those a try! When in doubt though, check with your surgeon or PCP. Kelle

I am 3.5 yrs postop. I started taking whole pills at around 4-5 months. And I broke the big ones in two with a pill cutter for about 2 yrs. Now I just take everyting whole. I do take Mobic (an nsaid) every day for my Systemic Lupus & fibromyalgia. I can take alot of pain, but it was getting to the point of being unable to function. And I take the arthritis (8 hour) strength Tylenol all the time. I also take nexium or pepcid every day to keep from having any stomach problems, which I haven't had from the mobic. But I also take steroids and that does bother my stomach, so I must take something for that. Between my supplements and prescriptions, I take about 20 pills per day. I swallow all of them whole unless they are really big and I haven't had any problems. I have noticed that about 1 yr after surgery I had to adjust a few of my prescriptions due to the malabsorption and since then things have gone better. I know when I take an antibiotic that I have to take a higher dose for longer to get the same effect. Fortunately I have a wonderful bunch of md's who work to adjust my meds as needed. Just be sure to talk regularly with your md & they can help you get the best fit as needed. As far as over the counter stuff, you just have to play with it to see how it works. Talk to the pharmacist, they can help you alot. But your surgeon's directions should be followed above all. Don't be afraid to ask your md!! Good Luck with your journey. Karen (297/142, open rny, 9/6/01)

This answer is really something I feel like you should look for from your doctor. Every person has a different regiment and a different tolerance - so check with your surgeon and ask what his opinion is. I take Tylenol pills - but am in agreeance with the other post that I don't get as many headaches as I used to. I used to live with major migraines.....now I've gotten 2 since surgery! Before surgery I used to have to take upwards of 5 Excedrine Migraine to get rid of a headache.....now I only need one Tylenol at the beginning of a headache and it's gone!!!! I know you're getting nervous.....it's normal.....Feel free to ask any question you like!!!! That's what were here for! Much Dee Dee

Hello. My doctor said I could take pills. I am 7 weeks out and have been taking them from the start without problems. I was told not to take Motrin, Tylenol products only. My doctor did say that liquid or power form works better because of the absorbtion but I can take pills. I would just check with your doctor. Good luck on your up and coming surgery! ~Bonnie