Question:
How do you take long term medication after surgery?

I have been on 45mg of of the antidepressant Remeron for years now. Everytime I come off my antidepression medication, I have a bout with clinical depression. I have a good doctor who monitors my medication monthly and supports my looking into WLS, but I haven't had the chance to ask him yet. How will I take my medication after surgery? The pills look big when reading how small my stomach and entry will be. Is there a liquid form? Can I smash them up? Thanks in advance for any info.    — Alicia B. (posted on February 12, 2000)

February 12, 2000
Is there a liquid form? Can I smash them up? Yes, you sure can..Walmart has a neat pill splitter pulverizer (crusher) all built in one.. Cost was around $3.00 I had to still take my blood pressure medication the first month after surgery, so this was best way for me. Once it was crushed to a fine powder form, I mixed it with sugar free apple juice.
   — Victoria B.

February 12, 2000
Alicia, You can either crush them up and put them in something or you can do like I did and cut them up. I bought a pill cutter and just cut them up, small enough that I think that I can swallow and that seems to have worked just fine for me. I am 6 weeks post op now and have not had a bit of trouble. Good luck!! Linda
   — Linda W.

February 12, 2000
I did not have my gallbladder removed so I had to start on medication right away. These are full size pills, and I swallow them whole. My surgion said there woulden't be a problem. Your opening to your stomach shoulden't be a problem. Since I take several swallows of water to get my pill down, I avoid eating for alittle while before and after taking it. Good Luck!
   — Shelly T.

February 12, 2000
Alicia, the only pills that might cause a problem with crushing or splitting are the time released. My anti-depressant was time released and my doc switched me to regular ones for that first month. I crushed them into applesauce/yogurt, etc. But the non time released were much bigger. Just ask your doc. what to do. Also, the only day I did not take mine was the day of surgery. Good luck.
   — Dot W.

February 12, 2000
Hi Alicia: Taking pills after surgery hasn't been a problem at all for me. I started taking pills by mouth on day 3 post-op, and I've never had a problem. I can even take those huge Motrins with no trouble. I take 13 pills every morning, and only 2 of those are chewable. I can take 3 or 4 at a time with water, and wait about 5 minutes in between. It's really no trouble at all! I've never, ever had a problem! Now for the disclaimer....LOL...everyone is different.....you know the drill. Good luck! Jaye Carl, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 93 pounds gone forever.
   — Jaye C.