Question:
How long (lapRny) do we crush our meds?

I am 7 weeks post op and haven't been to the dietician due to scheduling issues, so I am wondering when can I begin taking my pills whole again.. crushing is such a pain in the rear! My pills, by the way, are slightly smaller than a pencil eraser. Thanks!    — shrinkinchrissi (posted on October 19, 2002)

October 19, 2002
Hi there, I just went for my three week post-op follow up and they (surgeon and nutritionist both) told me I no longer had to worry about crushing any medication unless it was a HORSE PILL and I was afraid about it getting stuck...and that they recommended just cutting half. No more crushing necessary......... hope this helps.
   — Karen K.

October 19, 2002
Maybe each doctor is different, but I haven't had to crush any of my meds...just swallowing them one at a time and waiting about :15 between each one. I'm almost 2 weeks post op, open RNY.
   — Cheryl T.

October 19, 2002
My doctor said that I could take any pill that is smaller than an M&M, and capsules were fine.
   — Janelle G.

October 19, 2002
Crushing pills and prescribing liquid medications seems to be entirely a surgeon preference. All of us in our lap RNY family were taking Percocet tablets for pain the day after surgery, and were instructed to take our previous medications as usual when we were discharged from the hospital....no crushing, no liquids, and no problems. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

October 19, 2002
I was told by my surgeon not to take anything bigger than a small peanut. I didn't start that until I was 1 month out, until then I crushed my meds and you are right. It was a total pain in the rear. I would think you would be fine with what you described at 7 weeks. I don't take my vitamins whole (they are pretty big) but I cut them in half rather than crush them. And I do just fine with them. I tried crushing my vitamins at first. That lasted for about 1 day and just couldn't stand it! YUCK! Anyway, I hope that helps. Good luck!
   — Laurel C.

October 19, 2002
From the time I left the hospital my surgeon said i did not need to crush any meds. I never had a problem and I was taking lortab and those are huge! But I would follow YOUR surgeons orders.
   — RebeccaP

October 21, 2002
I have never crushed my pills. The largest pill I take is Zyrtec-D and it has never bothered me. I started taking it again about a week after my lapRny. If you try it and it feel bad, then start crushing them again. Listen to your body...it is the best guide.
   — Cindy M.