Swallowing Pills After Surgery?

[eyewonder 24]

Can someone tell me if swallowing pills was a problem after surgery? I brought a Pill Crusher to use, but I can only imagine the taste being terrible. I realize you can swallow a tiny pill the size of a Vitamin D pill. But I have meds that are round, the size of a dime, and some long.

The pill that was described for me while taking 4 Meal Replacements shakes aday while on my pre-op diet are like horse pills. Well not a pill but a capsule.(to prevent gallstones) The Pharmacist told me if I open them they are very bitter.

So I was just wondering what size pill could our band take without being stuck. My surgery isn't until next week, so I'm asking now.

[Lauracat 14]

i was told after sugery every thing needs to be crushed or lquid form i had alot of my pills truned into lquid form becuse sometimes i get stuck on the pill pices when there not ground up well enough

[beautifulnikki 2]

I was told as long as the pill is the size of a pincel eraser than you can swollow it. But also be careful about crushing up pills because you can't crush up slow release pills.

[Sojourner 2,446]

Can someone tell me if swallowing pills was a problem after surgery? I brought a Pill Crusher to use, but I can only imagine the taste being terrible. I realize you can swallow a tiny pill the size of a Vitamin D pill. But I have meds that are round, the size of a dime, and some long.

The pill that was described for me while taking 4 meal replacements shakes aday while on my pre-op diet are like horse pills. Well not a pill but a capsule.(to prevent gallstones) The Pharmacist told me if I open them they are very bitter.

So I was just wondering what size pill could our band take without being stuck. My surgery isn't until next week, so I'm asking now.

For my initial post op time, I had my physician change all of the medications which came in a liquid form to the liquid, one script came in a chewable form, and the rest I had to crush. And you are correct, they taste horrible and bitter, even when disguised with apple sauce.

Post op, I can take pills up to 1/4" round with out difficulty, and I have been able to take one which is oblong, about 1/4 x 1/2", but I know once I have a fill, I most likely will not be able to take that one. If a pill is scored, I can usually cut it in half, and then take the pill in 2 swallows.

I was told to never take a capsule apart, and any other medication which is a "timed release" medication cannot be crushed. You will need to ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for advice as to which pills have alternative sizes and forms (liquid, chewable, etc.).

Any prescription modifications, I would have on hand prior to your surgery.

[adorkbl 156]

I have horrible luck with pills. I avoid taking them... and frankly... it pisses me off. I am suffering from pretty bad allergies this spring and I am afraid to take medication for it. I had a horrible horrible stuck episode on my anti-depressant meds once, and have not taken a pill since.

Everyone is different. I know several bandsters that can take pills with no problem.

[wilboy63 1]

I normally just grind mine up then add to a small cup of Water then just drink the medicine

[JessiG1983 50]

My doc had me continue taking all of my pills as normal post op and I personally have had no issue. I have experienced food getting stuck but never pills. GL!!

[judych 225]

Can someone tell me if swallowing pills was a problem after surgery? I brought a Pill Crusher to use, but I can only imagine the taste being terrible. I realize you can swallow a tiny pill the size of a Vitamin D pill. But I have meds that are round, the size of a dime, and some long.

The pill that was described for me while taking 4 meal replacements shakes aday while on my pre-op diet are like horse pills. Well not a pill but a capsule.(to prevent gallstones) The Pharmacist told me if I open them they are very bitter.

So I was just wondering what size pill could our band take without being stuck. My surgery isn't until next week, so I'm asking now.

if it were me, i would be opening them up, or crushing them, whichever you need to do, and adding them to the Protein drink with yoghurt. ive done that with meds that i couldnt take naturally and its working really well.

[Grandma3 73]

I tried crushing and mixing in applesauce, YUK!

I use a pill cuter and cut my larger pills in half, some even in quarters.

I have one capsule that I open and empty on to a spoon of applesauce.

Most can be cut or opened, if it is not scored just ask the pharmacist.

[eyewonder 24]

Thank you all for the information and responding quickly.

[Jackie's girl 32]

I cut all my pills in half except for the one capsule i was taking. I also took a long time to to get them all down. So my pain meds I cut in half and spent and hour getting them down. One half every 15 minutes or so. Moving slowly has been the key for me. Seems to work. The first day I took my Gummy Calcium it got stuck and I was uncomfortable for 20 min. Then I cut in half and take slowly and I was fine. The capsule was ok too. I also take Vitamin d, colace, pain meds, all without issue. Just space it out. Good luck

[Lana24 10]

I guess it just depends on the individual- I have never had a problem with pills, pb or many problems with good getting stuck. It would depend on how well things are currently going down.

Good luck!!

[LessToLove902 41]

My surgeon said to freeze liquid gels and cut them with a sharp knife. Does that help?

[goddesscordelia 30]

I have no problems with most pills. I have take one in the morning- I just drink hot tea after .

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

[brooke33 7]

My dr said absolutely no pills. Had to b liquid or crushed. I bet I signed 10 docs saying I wouldn't take pulls. They build up t top of band and will cause band slippage, erosion, or something else can't remember exactly. She said may not cause this until a while but it would eventually happen. Be careful n I would talk to doctor again

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