Question:
Why do post-op's have to take Zantac or other similar medications?

   — Debbie K. (posted on December 11, 2002)

December 11, 2002
I am 5 months post-op and I haven't taken Zantac or similar medications, but if someone is having problems that they took Zantac for pre-op, I would suppose that they would take it post-op if the problem persisted...JR
   — John Rushton

December 11, 2002
my understanding is to prevent ulcers.
   — Darlene P.

December 11, 2002
To decrease the amount of acid production in your digestive tract so that it can heal. Ulcers can develop more easliy with all that acid.
   — RebeccaP

December 11, 2002
I was on pepcid only for the first couple of weeks.
   — Linda A.

December 12, 2002
I was about 5 months post op and was having trouble with keeping down food. Everytime I would eat, my stomach would produce a lot of mucus and I'd throw up. My doctor prescribed Zantac 150 mg. He said Zantac is an antihistimine and that it would prevent my pouch from secreting the mucus. It worked and I was able to eat again. I still have problems once in a while and I'll need to take the Zantac for at least 6 more months, but it works. Hope this helps.
   — jean.campbell

December 12, 2002
Our surgeon prescribes Prilosec or Prevacid (similar to Zantac) to his patients for the first 30 days. He does a complete transection of the stomach instead of simply stapling. That new suture line at the transection point is very susceptible to irritation and ulcer formation until it is completely healed. Those medications "soothe" the lining of the stomach, speed up healing to that area, and diminish the chances of ulcer formation. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.