Question:
How soon can I take anti-inflammatories post-op?

I changed from Naprosyn to Bextra at the suggestion of my surgeon. It's effective for arthritis pain/edema for old injuries to my legs/joints from an auto accident.    — Sistersinger (posted on June 16, 2003)

June 15, 2003
Hi, I was told by my surgeon after my 6 week checkup that I could resume Celebrex for arthritis. Celebrex is similar. Please remember that you can no longer use naprosyn, ibuprofen, aspirin, or any similar medicine. We are at greater risk for drugs that may cause stomach problems.
   — V R.

June 15, 2003
Ask your surgeon when you can take these medications. I have severe arthritis (will have to have both knees replaced in the near future) and my surgeon allows me to take Celebrex when I absolutely HAVE to have it to be able to walk. He told me that I could NEVER take it more than 5 days in a row and then I had to stay off it for 5 days. I use about 30 capsules every 6 months. I am in pain all the time, but it usually is manageable. I settle for this because I don't want to risk stomach bleeds and all these drugs can cause ulcers and bleeding.
   — Patty_Butler

June 15, 2003
I take Bextra for arthritis as well, Bextra is a drug in the same class as Celebrex, only it gives better pain relief at lower dosages than celebrex. However, you should check with your surgeon or PCP before restarting the medicine. I'm hopefil that I will be able to continue taking Bextra after my RNY later this month.
   — David F.

June 15, 2003
If you had RNY you should NEVER take anti anflammitory meds again- They can/will cause ulcers to your pouch resulting in internal bleeding- there have been several members on the MB that have taken meds at the advice of their doctors only to learn later - their MD was wrong! I understand there are meds for arthritis/jont pain that do not damage your pouch- but I would research it heavily before I took one. Good Luck
   — ~~Stacie~~

June 15, 2003
Check with your surgeon, but I was allowed to resume taking Vioxx and ibuprofen on occasion with my surgeson's approval in the first month. I have never had any problems with it. The only absolute after weight loss surgery is that there are no absolutes! Be sure to take the Bextra with some food. I work with medication requests and Bextra seems to cause very few problems. I hope this helps your pain so your can move around! Good luck!
   — koogy

June 16, 2003
Ask your surgeon. Following this surgery we are at high risk for stomach problems and bleeding due to our new "configuration". I took anti-inflamatories twice a day before surgery. Don't need them at all now.
   — Cathy S.

June 16, 2003
The others are right, and we are told that anti-inflamatories are a no-no due to the risk of pouch ulcers/bleeding. Risk is just that, it is a risk, not a given that you would develop pouch ulcers/bleeding and whether you want to risk it or not should be discussed with your doctors. I stopped my daily Vioxx right before surgery and after a month or two post-op, I was in so much pain I asked to be placed back on it. That was over a year ago and I still take one every day, with food, and so far, no problems, but I understand that the risk is still there.
   — Cindy R.

October 9, 2003
NEVER...I took Vioxx for arthritis and in 6 weeks after surgery, had a HUGE ulcer in my pouch that perforated causing peritonits. It also made a fistula into my old stomach. Am now in the healing ulcer stage and praying the hole into the old stomach will close without surgery. Taking anti-inflamatories is VERY risky for us after WLS.
   — Pat R.