Question:
I had thegastric sleeve inJune of 09. I have lost 120 lbs so far,

But I had an abdominal hernia repaired on Monday. As of right now I am on a morphine drip and just was able to start getting in clear fluids as of last night. I am afraid that in the morning it will be time for me to start taking pills by mouth. Is that safe? can we take morphine oills by mouth or are they too strong for our new stomachs? Sorry not trying to sound silly, but my surgeon is inb the dominican republic and it will take him a few days to get backto me on this... thank you    — callen3640 (posted on February 17, 2010)

February 17, 2010
I had the sleeve in September 2008 and am down 170 lbs (150 since surgery) and the only difference I have noticed when taking pills is that I need to be sure to have food in my stomach when I take ANY meds. This didn't seem to bother me prior to surgery. But also, prior to surgery, because of how much I weighed, they would tend to need to prescribe higher doses for them to be effective. The less you weigh, the less you need, evidently. That's why they ask how much you weigh when prescribing meds - the smaller you are, the less you need I guess.
   — Wendy M.

February 18, 2010
I would HIGHLY recommend that you crush any pills you need to take for the next 4 weeks or so. I also had a sleeve gastrectomy done in April of last year and had beren swallowing pills without incident. I then had a hietal hernia repaired 3 weeks ago. About 5 days after the hernia repair I made the mistake of taking a Protonix whole (releaves heartburn). I don't think I ever even imagined the kind of pain I was in after taking that pill. I was in pain for over an hour until I finally threw up. Lesson learned! Crush any medication until you have healed.
   — noregretsx10

February 18, 2010
A heiatal hernia involves surgery to the openining of the stomach and so I can see why that would have been a problem for the last poster in taking any pills. If your hernia had nothing to do with your stomach you might be ok. Also talk to the nurses or other doctors or see if they can give you the morphine in a liquid form if you are still concerned or maybe even a different medication morphine is a little strong. I hope everything goes well for you and congratulations on the fantastic weight loss success.
   — Lisa von Wallmenich

February 20, 2010
i had vsg on 2-16-10...and i was informed that i would be unable to take any type of pill for the rest of my life!!!...unless its chewable or dissolves in my mouth as for pain medicine your doctor should prescribe you morphine or hydrocodiene in a liquid form
   — gorda82

February 21, 2010
I had the sleeve on 2/8/10 and I'm taking a pill that's an acid reducer and a valium in a pill form. Not planning on taking horse pills anytime soon but even then, there's pill cutters that will make them smaller. I've had no problem whatsoever and my surgeon prescribed me the pills.
   — OhButSheHasSUCHaPrettyFace