Swallowing Pills After Surgery?

[Jackie's girl 32]

I know I am new, but when I think about it, how is swallowing pill any different than swallowing a small piece of food? Just curious? I don't see how erosion, band slippage, or any other damaging complications would be caused as long as it is not too big. I could see if the composition of the pill and what is in it might be a problem, but if you can have it crushed or liquified, it obviously is not the chemical make up of the pill that is a problem. I tried one of my pills in Water to see what happens to it and it just dissolves. I guess this is a case where following your doctors orders is key. If you read enough there are so many differences. Not trying to cause trouble, just curious. I'm going to ask my doctor becasue I am curious.

[goddesscordelia 30]

The worst thing that will happen is you'll get stuck. It's really individual.

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

[judych 225]

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.

i just crush my meds. i also take a capsule so i empty that into my coffee of a morning. its better if you can crush your meds. that is.. providing that you are allowed to do that. id ask if i were you.

[eyewonder 24]

@brooke33 First thank you for even responding, but I have to agree with Jackie's girl on questioning that theory. But we know someone gave you that info, and that's what you believe.

@Lesstolove902 That would have been helpful if I had gel caps, but thank you anyway

@goddesscordeia That's exactly what I fear, (getting stuck)

@Jackie's girl I love your challenging mind when something doesn't agree with you. And we know you are not starting trouble, you are just curious and like to get to the root of things. After all this site is about so many things, including opinions.

@Everyone esle thank you for your info

[running_scared 125]

I wouldn't take a whole large pill while you are first post-op, and still on liquids or mushies. Once I was eating solid food again, I transitioned back to pill tylenol, and I've had no issues. I'm due to have my first fill this week though, and so I'll let you know what happens after that.

[SageTracey 608]

I was sick last week - not band related but saw my surgeon as a precaution. Not only was his care better and more thorough than than the ER and my GP, but he also prescribed several medications that I needed. One of them was a very large pill which I was able to swallow whole, with no troubles.

Just to offer my experience....

[Sojourner 2,446]

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.

I got a pill stuck once about 3 weeks post op, and it was not a pleasant experience. That pill was the only thing to date which has gotten stuck.

As my son the pharmacist would say, you have to consider the risk/benefit ratio. I have learned to focus on "mindful" swallowing while taking pills, and there have not been any more stuck episodes. I guess it depends on how much your allergies are bothering you. I don't like taking pills either, but for some it is definitely a better choice than suffering the effects of uncontrolled hypertension or hay fever.

[Sojourner 2,446]

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.

One of my sons is a pharmacist, and he has told me that a capsule should never be opened, and any "timed release" medication regardless of the form cannot be crushed or opened if a capsule.

If you were to crush a timed release medication, there is a potential for overdose on the medication as you would receive the entire dose at once upon ingestion, instead of a gradual infusion into your system.

Just sharing what I have been advised to do by a licensed professional in the field...your mileage may vary!

[eyewonder 24]

@Sojourner Thank you for your infomation, and please thank your son. Because I was going to open a capsule. That made so much sense about the time release of a pill and its effect.

[eyewonder 24]

@SageTracey Thank you for telling your experience, but one question, how long have you been banded?

[secretgarden38 4]

Hi , I was banded on may 10th and I have been taken pills since that same day no problem, plenty of Water before and after and it should not be a problem however I have heard of people having issues, my surgeon actually wanted me to continue taking my meds as normal, my pcp said to stop them due to the diet since I suffer of diabetes 2 , I am so happy with my sugar levels the surgery is starting to pay off

[m1aman 944]

My surgeon says it is okay to open Prilosec, which comes in a capsule.