Question:
Need small pills

I would like to take Biotin and Omega 3 supplements. Any suggestions about which one's are small enough for GBP pouch?    — T. Preston (posted on May 17, 2011)

May 17, 2011
How long have you been out? If time serves me, I think I had to ground my vitamins for 3 months when I had my surgery. Now I can take vitamins with ease.
   — FSUMom

May 17, 2011
I had a RNY about 1 1/2 years ago. I have been taking Biotin in a capsule from Bariatric Advantage ever since. It's not that big. I also use an Omega 3 berry flavored chew from Bariatric advantage. It's easier than a pill for me. There are probably other companies that make these products in small pill, chew or even liquid forms. Your NUT or bariatric nurse may be able to help you find supplements that work for you. Good luck!
   — Melora

May 17, 2011
You can buy biotin in capsules at Walmart and i think the omega 3 supps are gel right? anyway.. i'm a year and 5 months out and I still open up the capsules and pierce and squeeze the liquid out of gelcaps into my shake every morning. If you can get other than a pill.. get it and just dump it out (however you have to do that).. if it's in pill form, then yes, grinding it up is the best course of action, but I was very fortunate finding everything I needed at Walmart and being able to modify the method of delivery to suit my needs ! Good luck !
   — KQinNC

May 18, 2011
I am 3+ years out, and still break pills in halp or open up capsules, mostly for the absorbtion reasons. Full pills just go right thru. I feel like I get more if they are broken crushed or chewed. Still do liquids and chewables when possible. Antibiotic and thins like that sitting in my pouch cause irritation. Hope this helps!
   — lesleigh07

May 18, 2011
I'm not convinced that you need to worry about the size of your pills. I am less than one year out from my RNY, and from just about four weeks post-op I have been taking whole pills. Twice each day, I swallow two large Citracal tablets (about 3/4 inch in length by about 3/8 inch diameter) and one Centrum multivitamin tablet (about the same size). For several months, I also added a couple of full-sized fish oil capsules to the mix, but stopped when they ran out (and my hair stopped falling out). I take the pills one at a time in rapid succession at the conclusion of my morning and evening meals, and have never had the slightest difficulty or repercussion. Not once. Perhaps you should give this a try, if for no other reason than the likelihood that, if you actually find a supply of small pills, you'll have to take them in large quantities and will be paying a premium for them.
   — MastoDon