Question:
What medicines are safe to take post op?

I have a question for the group: Do you know what medications (OTC & prescribed) are okay following surgery and which ones should be avoided? The information provided by my surgeon's office simply says that most OTC products are okay and that Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, etc. should be limited. I'm not sure where I heard this, but I thought we were supposed to avoid certain medicines, such as anti-inflammatory drugs. My PCP has given me various drugs recently for back pain, and I'm unsure if I'm "harming" myself by taking them. I've called my surgeon's office twice and haven't received a response from the nurses. Thanks!    — Jamie D. (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 10, 2002
Advil and Aleve are both anti-inflammatory meds. or NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflamm. drugs). I was told to stay away from these as they could cause problems with our new pouch. For pain I take Vioxx or Tylenol. I have heard different opinions on the Vioxx, but my surgeon ok'ed it. Tylenol should be fine, it was also ok'ed by my surgeon. I would like to add to your question about cold meds. Are they safe for us? I took benadryl when I had a cold, wasn't sure what to take.
   — Cheri M.

April 10, 2002
Drugs to Avoid After Gastric Bypass Surgery Advil Aleve Amigesic Anacin Anaprox Ansald Anthra-G Arthropan Ascriptin Aspirin Asproject Azolid Bufferin Butazolidin Clinorial Darvon compounds Disalcid Dolobid Equagesic Excedrin Feldene Florinal Ibuprofin Indocin Ketoprofen Lodine Meclomen Midol Mortin Nalfon Naprosyn Nayer Orudis Oruval Pamprin-IB Percodan Ponstel Rexolate Tandearil Tolecin Uracel Voltaren Drugs That Are Okay to Use Cold Mild Pain Gas Bendaryl Tylenol Gas-X Dimetapp Tylenol Ex Strength Phazyme Robitussin Safetussin Sudafed Triaminics (All) Tylenol (cold products) Constipation Diarrhea Colace Imodium Ad Dulcolax-Suppositories Fleet Enema Glycerin-Suppositories Milk of Magnesia Peri-Colace
   — Phiddy B.

April 10, 2002
Always check with your doctor about taking any meds--perscription or OTC! For most things there is a liquid or capsule form that can be opened and added to food or juice, he just needs to know what is best for you. Pills can also be cut or crushed as long as they don't have specific time released coatings, again you need to ask your doctor! Sometimes pharmacists can help, but watch---they don't always understand, rather than send me to another store for a higher strenght adult liquid tylenol, one just put a label on their kids brand and told me to take a huge dose---it filled my pouch and I couldn't eat! The other thing to consider is how long you will be taking the meds, I've been nursing a shoulder injury for 6 weeks now, and have been very limited to how much and how often I can take even tylenol & ibuprophen---5 days max, just so that I don't errode part of my pouch! I've also not been allowed to take stronger meds for the same reasons---so, I'm now looking at cortizone shots!
   — Sue F.

April 11, 2002
to answer cheri's question about cold meds...i used DIABETICTUSSIN cough syrup when i had a cold a few weeks post op. it was wonderful! its an all natural NOTHING added product. my honey picked it up in walgreens on the pharmacists recommendation. i noticed in walmart the other day robitussin has come out with their own diabetic cough syrup too, but, i didnt stop to check if it was the same or similar product.
   — sheryl titone