Question:
How do you take your vitamins after surgery if you can only have so many ounces?

I take 6 daily vitamins plus my diabetes medicine. If you can only have a few ounces at a time after surgery, and you want to have proper protein etc. How do you take the vitamins and medicines without being full? I am hoping I will be go off of my 9 daily pills for my diabetes.    — Janet C. (posted on June 9, 1999)

June 9, 1999
My doctor requested that I crush the medication. So I did, and it was terrible! I gagged everytime! After 3 weeks I was able to just cut them in half (for the larger pills, 3 parts) and that was a lot easier to stomach. Good luck! Post-Op 3/31/99, 55 pounds lost to date!
   — Michelle M.

June 10, 1999
You can take your pills one at a time with about 3- 5oz of water with no problem. You will need to wait a few minutes in between each one, but it is really not a big deal. With this surgery you will not be on them for long anyway. I was off all meds for diabetes within a 30 lb loss....
   — JAN C.

June 10, 1999
the pill taking takes a little getting used to at first (since you have to drink so much water but not drink near the time you plan to eat). First, buy a pill splitter and chop medication into halves or quarters and take your meds and vitamins in order of priority (most needed first). I have a plastic case and put out my day's supply of pills and keep it handy along with the bottle of water. BTW, room temp water is easier to drink than very cold water (if you're working on taking pills and getting all your hydration in) Six months post op and my meds have been cut in half. I also found a few liquid or chewable items (multi vitamin, calcium and MSM which I take for my bum arthritic knee). I highly recommend Wild Cherry liquid protein by Challenge. I mix it with flat ginger ale or RubyRed Grapefruit juice. It's the most palatable protein product I've found Good luck Susan [email protected]
   — Susan C.

June 14, 1999
Taking meds post op CAN be a challenge for a little while..eventually, it wont be, because eventually, you will be able to drink pretty normally..but at first even a sip or two can hurt...I cut up most of my pills..you can buy a pill splitter..they arent expensive...within a few weeks..you can usually handle a large enough amount of water to take one pill at a time...I also take 6 multiples a day..plas 4 calciums...I take them by the handfull now with No problem at all. during the time it was difficult, I DID reduce my multiples to just one centrum a day and went back to the ones I normally take (the 6) when I could take water better
   — Deanna D.