A BIT OFF TOPIC

I posted this question to my area board, but there were no replies.  Perhaps there may be a few here who could answer this.

To those who attend church and receive....

After your WLS how long was it before you could receive the host at Communion?

As for your supplements, vitamins and other meds, do you still scrush them up after a few months/years or can you (with the Band) take them whole again?  Some of mine are very bitter (like Irbesarten) and I shy away from crushing them up in food.

Hi!

I found the first few weeks were difficult to swallow anything because the opening to my new pouch was still quite swollen.  At that time, I was crushing my pills and they were NASTY!  After about one month, I found that I was able to swallow my pills normally(whole)with alot of liquid or applesauce to wash them down easier....the swelling, which is only natural after any surgery.

I also used liquid supplements where I could.

Now swallowing the host is another story. I was raised Roman Catholic and I remember being told to never chew the host.  I can see great potential of choking. My advice would be to simply speak to your Priest/Paster and explain why swallowing the host whole is very dangerous to you at this point and ask for his/her opinion on what to do. 

That way you keep yourself  PHYSICALLY safe from choking and you also feel better about "doing the right thing" with respect to the host.  Im sure there's a solution. *s*

Nancy B 

I remember my 1st host after surgery very well.   It tasted wonderful.  I had lap band surgery Tuesday and I attended Mass the following Sunday and received Communion.  We are allowed to chew the host now but since I learned not to I didn't.  If I can remember correctly it went down ok.  I was concerned because I didn't have any water or anything to wa**** down.  Now I'm sure the unleaven bread would be a whole different story.

Now my pills and such.  I can't take large pills too early in the morning, I'm pretty tight.   I usually wait until mid day to take larger pills.

Our hosts were mostly wafers that would melt in the mouth, otherwise I have seen communion done and the hosts were chewed by anyone that needed to do so. Also, I am into chewables whenever possible for the supplements. As far as reg. meds. I had one very bitter pill even not being crushed, it was awful. My doc will have me swallowing pills before I leave the hospital. If they are 2 big, cut them in half, his recommendation. Hopefully, the surgery will solve the problem of having to take most of the meds, for me at least.

WHEN I TOOK THE COMMUNION, I JUST BROKE OFF THE CORNER OF THE CRACKER/WAFER ABOUT THE SIZE OF MY PINKY FINGERNAIL.  I PUT IT IN MY MOUTH AND LET IT GET VERY SOFT OR SOGGY THEN CHEWED IT.  THE FRUIT OF THE VINE, I TOOK ONLY ONE TINY SIP OF THE "JUICE" AND PUT THE REMAINING CUP BACK IN TRAY.  THE SCRIPTURES DID NOT SAY HOW MUCH "BREAD OR DRINK" TO HAVE.  IT DID SAY TO DO IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF JESUS CHRIST BEING CRUCIFIED.

HOPE THIS HELPS.
JOY

First of all, re the Lord's Supper.  My church, much to my dismay, does the Lord's Supper once or twice a year.  Christmas Eve and possibly Easter.    My first church as a Christian had the Lord's Supper the first Sunday of every quarter in addition to Christmas and Easter services.

As far as supplements, I wish I could help you.  I have never crunched mine.  Took them whole from the getgo.  But I had RNY.

Aaahhh! Such helpful and reassuring replies from the group.  Thanks so much.
re: pills...hopefully those for HBP will not be needed after the WL, like one poster said.  NASTY is right!
re: the host...I remember when the altar breads were wafer thin and melted on the tongue.  Now they are so thick that it is nigh impossible to dissolve them..they must be chewed. It was the thickness that worried me. I guess I could ask the priest or EEM for a tiny portion..I hate calling attention to myself.  But it would be worse to choke or regurg,,YIKES, no!

You know, I can't wait to be Banded, but I have to go to these meetings before I even can get a consult.  Time and Patience.

I have not had any trouble.  We use real bread and take by intinction, meaning it is dipped in the cup before we eat it.  I was a little worried early on, but have had no problems.  We have Holy Communion at least once a month.

Jeane