Post-Op Medication Question

A question for my post-op friends...

Did/can you take medication, in pill form, after surgery?  If so, how did you take the medications that require "take with food"? 

Thanks!

Jen

yes we are required to take meds in pill form, at least I am, I take a prescription vitamin and something to reduce acid in my stomach. The pills are not large and they will go down fine. I take a pill and a sip of water. I had the same question myself. I take one pill first thing in the morning and then another one before bed and in between I also take a multi vitamin but the one I bought is chewable. The only one that I take with food is the multivitamin and its chewable. (optisource is the name of it and you can buy it at Walgrens, Its a bit pricey $28.00 When I run out of them I will go back to my One A Day multivitamins I have found pills not to be an issue for me) Its not as bad as they say regarding the pills at least for me it hasn't been.

If pills are large, they need to be cut into smaller pieves. And if they are enteric coated, you need either a form that is not coated or you need to cut them too, as they won't hang around long enough to get broken down and absorbed. Also if you are on any time release or delayed release meds, you may need a different form, as again, they won't hang around long enough for your body to make use of them.  Another note: if you are on antidepresants by chance, you may find you need an increase after surgery, as you probably won't absorb as much of it. I know mine had to be adjusted.
Hope this helps.

Thank you ladies!  I will talk to my doctor on my next appointment (I forgot at the last appointment).  That way I can get my meds sorted out and be prepared for surgery!

Thanks again!

Jen

Hi Jen, when I had my surgery, the MD recommended crushing the pills, they tasted horid.  They no longer want us to crush things, anything the size of an aspirin they have us take whole, larger pills need to be cut into smaller pieces.  I was on a couple of extended release pills that needed to be switched to immediate release forms.  I still get the coverage I need, just have to take a smaller dose, more than once a day.

I choose to take a chewable vitamin and calcium.  If you are having gastric bypass, you will need to be on calcium citrate for best absorption.  For specific medication questions, check with your MD or pharmacist.  They know the most about what can and can not be taken with food.

I take my diabetes pills, that need to be taken with food, with just a sip of water to get the pill down. 

I was told that I could only have the "Chewables" and that once I have the surgery I will no longer take my diabetic pill since I have it so controlled and on the borerline of not having it at all - yay!!

I received some sampls today from Celebrate Vitamins and I also am waiting on some samples from Bariatric Advantage I think is the other one. I wanted to see what they tasted like to get an idea of what I think I would like after surgery.  They sent several flavors of each Vitamins ( Multi-Vitamin,Cal Citrate, B-12, Iron and something else - my mind just went blank lol )along with 2 flavors of the shake and a Citru*****h drink Mix.