Medication Question

[lizzy2150 3]

Hi, everyone! I am scheduled to be banded on July 6 and have a question about medications.

I am, of course, hoping to be able to ditch some of my medications entirely (I'd love to give up blood pressure and diabetes meds!). But I take some other medications--primarily for asthma and allergies--that I will never be able to give up (unless I want to quit breathing).

So here's my question: should I get those meds compounded into a liquid form before my surgery so I can take them post-op? Or should I crush them up? Try to break them into pieces and take them that way? I will, of course, take this issue up with my PCP and surgeon, but I'm interested in hearing what other people do when they have to take medications that don't come in liquid or chewable forms.

[Time2BHealthy 1]

Talk to you pharmacist to see if they CAN be crushed. Some cant be. Explain your situation and they will find a solution for you. You will get liquid pain Med after surgery. I take medication for my thyroid and that pill was small enough to take after my surgery.

Good luck.

[lifechange531 0]

I asked my surgeon and he said as long as my pill was smaller than an M&M I would be ok. I have had no issues with my meds.

[Cindy C 150]

The general rule of thumb about crushing pills is if it's scored you can break or crush it. Most capsules can be opened and just the contents taken although if its a powder inside it usually tastes horrible. Anything smaller than an aspirin will go through your band without a problem.

[Karon 1]

You just can't assume that you can open a capsule and take the contents. Some meds are time released and my doctor told me that they cannot be opened up and put into applesauce or taken some other way. There would have to be an alternate med prescribed. Please don't take it upon yourself to decide what to do with your meds, speak with your doctors and pharmacist about this problem. I know because it is going to be somewhat of a problem for me with some of the meds that I take.