Worst Part @ 1 Week Post-Op: Medication

[Didjit 44]

I'm one week out, and I've decided that the worst part is not how much I miss solid food or how tired I am of Protein Shakes, it's dealing with my various medications. Crushing pills and liquid form sounded so harmless. But my reasonably sized single-dose extended release pill is now a double-the-size three-times-a-day powdered misery more bitter than you can imagine. Chased by a mouthful of syrupy sweet liquid Priolosec. I also have some capsules that I have to pinch open for -- that's right -- more yummy powder! At least I've dropped the Children's Tylenol, which is worse than the Prilosec; it's a fruity (like bubble gum, not actual fruit) gooey gel designed to not be swallowed. And after all that I'm too full to have anything actually nutritious. Spring can't come quick enough!

[jaynamy3 122]

I COMPLETELY agree with you. Then..... the powder guck gets like a glob of goo bc you can't swallow enough Water to really dislove it. I would say it's definitely the worst part for me also. I am one week post -op tomorrow morning.

Amy☆☆☆

[Misty Barnhart 29]

Have you tried swallowing your pill? Im one week out as well and I dont have a problem will that. Have you been on the scale? I dont feel like ive lost anything!

* Misty *

[teaqueen 113]

I'd give swallowing your pill without opening or crushing it a try. I could get small and medium ones down pretty well at 1 week out. Large pills and gigantic Vitamins, not so much. Good luck!

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[AGreenEyedWolf 97]

Did your doctor tell you to crush your extended release meds? Because my understanding is that extended release meds lose their time-release abilities if crushed. My surgeon said cutting mine in half was about as much as I could alter it without losing its effectiveness almost entirely.

Also, if your surgeon DID okay crushing it, I suggest putting it in something other than a clear liquid for swallowing purposes... like if you are on full liquids right now, you could try disguising it in yogurt or pudding to make it easier to swallow.

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[jaynamy3 122]

For me the time released were capsules and I crushed the large pills and just opened the capsules and pored into the powdered dust pill. Didn't mess with the beads at all. I'm now taking my smaller pills but the giant one I have to crush. Looks as large as a prenatal Vitamin from years ago.

And scale yes. I have been on and have increased a bit daily but it's only been a week today and just now starting to have small bowel movements. So it will eventually drop.

Amy☆☆☆

[Didjit 44]

I was told to not take the pills whole but to crush them. The extended release was re-prescribed as an instant release (because crushing would obviously defeat the extended release properties). So that was why my single extended release became three instant release pills, which counterintuitively are much larger. But my follow up is on Wednesday so I'm hoping I'll get the okay to go back to whole pills.

And as for the scale, yes, every day. I'm amazed at how fast I'm losing. I'd dropped 20 before the surgery, and I'm down about another 15 after a little more than a week. It's going to be a great summer! :-D

[LifeRejuvenated 21]

I'm 5 weeks post-op. The pill part seems easy compared to no regular BM & Constipation. Make sure you keep it regular!

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[Mandybb 183]

It is so weird how different doctors require different things. My doctor said never crush a pill, only cut in half if really large. I was taking all my meds whole before I left the hospital. Never had any issues swallowing. That must have been so nasty crushing pills. Hoping you get the go ahead to take them whole at your follow up.

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[Sivey89 1]

I'm 5 days post op and I'm not taking Vitamins yet until 2 weeks post op. I have liquid Vicodin and a small pill for acid in my stomach, but I can swallow. My dr said as long as the pill is as small or smaller than an m&m I can swallow it.

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