Question:
At what point, post-op can you start swallowing pills?

I am 6 weeks post-op and having a terrible time taking crushed pills. My gag reflex is alive and well. I developed bronchitis and the doc gave me these anti-biotic horse pills to take. I crushed one up yesterday and mixed it in peanutbutter on a cracker, but the tast was so bitter and so strong that I threw up the pill. Need help. Can I cut into 1/4s and swallow at this stage or any suggestions what to mix it into?    — Cindy R. (posted on March 21, 2002)

March 21, 2002
Hi Cindy, I had surgery on 2/12 and within a week or so was taking my depression meds, which are fairly large too. I break them in half and haven't had any trouble except for when my mother was over helping and dissolved one in a small amount of water and told me to drink it. Blech. I threw it up too.
   — marz S.

March 21, 2002
Pills dissolve in your pouch, not just slip right through. I could swallow pills from shortly after pre-op, no problem.
   — vitalady

March 21, 2002
As soon as I got home. They crushed one in the hosp and it was SO NASTY that I didn't know what I was going to do. I picked up a pill splitter, cheap, and cut them in fourths. never had a problem. and a year later I take hugh pills with no trouble at all...good luck !
   — Sharon F.

March 21, 2002
I went three months without pills and they would only come back up and stayed lodged in my throat. It was'nt good not to take them, but I could'nt do it.
   — Danmark

March 23, 2002
The four of us in our family who have had lap RNY were taking Percocet tablets for pain the day after our surgeries. When we were discharged home two days later, we were instructed to resume our medications as before surgery....no crushing, no liquid medications. We never had any problems at all. Good luck!
   — Diana T.