Question:
How can I take my perscription meds after surgery?

I take lots of prescription meds and still haven't really found out how I will be able to take them after surgery. About half of them are capsulas and many are hard-do not crush or chew pills. I can't go without these meds but I am not even for sure who I ask-PCP, surgeon, Pharmist?    — Toni W. (posted on March 20, 2003)

March 20, 2003
I was just told to take them as I always did. My surgeon even sent me home with a medication that is a big capsule. I thought all the medication was going to have to be liquid or crushed, but that is not the case with me. Good luck!
   — JoAnn A.

March 20, 2003
Hi Toni. I also take quite a few prescriptions and now vitamins as well, and this was a big concern for me pre-op too! What I first did was called my pharmacist and asked what other form each of my medications come in, like liquid, chewable, tablets that can be cut, etc. Lucky me, <u>none</u> of my meds came in chewable or liquid! When I was still in the hospital, one of the nurses crushed all my meds into a 1 oz cup all the way down to powder form and said "Bottom's up!".. I downed it with water and it was the <b>NASTIEST</b> thing I'd ever tasted!! I do NOT recommend doing that! After that dose, I asked the nurse to cut my pills into quarters and got them down that way. None of my meds were capsules so I didn't even cross that bridge until I was put on an antibiotic 6 weeks out, and then the capsules went down easily. In the first 6 weeks or so, I got ALOT of use out of my pill cutter!! Good luck to you!!<br>Lap-RNY 1/13/03 -83lbs & Counting!
   — thumpiez

March 20, 2003
Toni, I just had surgery and bought a pill cutter to split my medication. You can get them at any drug store.
   — Sandy P.

March 20, 2003
You should be asking your surgeon this as they are all different. I had to crush all my pills and open all my capsules the first two weeks. Bought a pill crusher. Then he said i could cut them in half so i bought a pill spliter. Now at six weeks out, I take them as they are even capsules except potassium. i still have to open that one.
   — Delores S.

March 20, 2003
Every surgeon seems to have a different approach to medications. Five of us in my family have now had lap RNY surgery and our bariatric surgeon started us on Percocet tablets for pain the day after surgery, and sent us home on all our previous medications....uncut, uncrushed, and in their original tablet or capsule form. We had absolutely no problems at all. I would first consult your surgeon regarding his preference. If he suggests cutting or crushing, then verify with your pharmacist that that is acceptable. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

March 20, 2003
Toni, I took my regular capsules the evening of surgery. Never crushed or opened anything. Janis
   — Janis D.

March 21, 2003
I had alot of medications to take afterwards as well. But I was surprised that the nurse in my hospital came in and gave me my meds right away. I took them as expected and was fine, even 1 day post-op. Others may have some difficulty, so it is really trial and error. Capsules I had no problem with, they went down easy. The biggest problem I had was with vitamins, but they could be cut. I have also heard that we shouldn't take anything really big anyway b/c of the inlet of the pouch. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.