Question:
Does anyone know the reason we can not take certian over the counter meds?

Does anyone know the reason? I understand some contain sugar which could be upsetting, but why can we not take advil? Thanks    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 19, 2000)

December 19, 2000
My Dr said ibuprofin is OK, but not to take aspirin, especially on an empty stomach. My understanding is that aspirin, over time, could degrade the staples.
   — Kathy W.

December 19, 2000
Those things which are known to irritate a normal tummy can really send us into a tailspin with our tiny pouch. Usually forbidden are KNOWN stomach irritants: aspirin, ibuprofen, erythromycin and all NSAIDS, like Aleve, Motrin, etc. It's to protect from the pain or possiblity of bleeding ulcer.
   — vitalady

December 20, 2000
The reason I was told that we cannot take things like aspirin, ibuprofen and other traditional NSAID's is because they irritate the stomach mucosa too badly in a big, normal stomach much less our little tiny pouches. There is just too little there to begin with and the possibility of ulcering the small pouch could have some devastating effects, such as the bleeding ulcer Michelle mentioned. I was told I could take Celebrex, since it's not *supposed* to irritate the stomach like traditional NSAID's but it can cause bleeding ulcers in people susceptible to them. Good Luck...Hugs~
   — Marni

December 21, 2000
I am 8 months post-op from open RNY and doing great. I have lost 110 lbs so far and am below the high end of my goal of 160 by 10 lbs. My doctor told me I could take any over the counter meds. He said is was only during the healing period that I was not allowed them. It's very confusing, as it seems to vary from doc to doc.
   — rosemary I.