Question:
long term med use. abosorbstion of medications

if you have medications(prednisone)that you have to take the rest of your life, is there going to be a problem with absorbtion of the medication after surgery? Is a liquid med better then tablets? Thankyou    — Robin S. (posted on September 4, 2000)

September 4, 2000
I have to take thyroid medication and an estrogen receptor the rest of my life. After I was a year post op my doctors adjusted the dosage of both meds. They checked monthly until they were satisfied with the results. My experience was that these docs were very patient and willing to work with the adjustments to my anatomy. I don't know if liquid is any better...I take my meds in pill form.
   — Roseann M.

September 4, 2000
My surgeon told me that since the opening from my pouch to my intestines is just the size of a DIME, that I can not swallow pills that are any larger than a baby aspirin w/o them probably getting stuck. I have to crush my meds as they are large in size. I place them in a little applesauce and let them sit for a little while til they are dissolved. Liquid meds, as far as I am concerned taste worse generally. As far as how they are absorbed, I would ask this to your physician. We are not doctors, just wls patients. Good luck
   — kathy S.

September 4, 2000
I am 4 weeks post-op now and started out crushing my pills or taking liquid medications. I have since discovered that I can take all of my medications whole, even my Allegra capsule for allergies. I'm not sure I could handle one of those horse pills called antibiotics, though.
   — Aurele K.

September 4, 2000
In some cases, yes, absorption will be changed. It depends where in the system absorption takes place, though. Many of my peers have had their estrogen adjusted repeatedly. 2 of my docs have tried to adjust mine and I wish they'd just LEAVE IT ALONE! It works fine in the original dose! But Prilosec is not a good absorber, so if I am needing that one, it's 3 to 4 a day! YOW! So, it's individual with each med and your surgeon may have a good working knowledge of where each med was absorbed and if you are indeed bypassed there.
   — vitalady