Pills and supplements post op

[DAT 0]

I'm 2.5 weeks out of surgery and my doc says I can resume Vitamins and supplements. However, I'm a little hesitant because a couple of my pills are kinda big. My metformin 1000mg is the largest. Then I have fish oil liquid gels, etc.

Now obviously I can cut the pills but then they have sharp edges. Also I can crush and I can have liquid versions but they taste awful. The pills are easy. And considering all my other energies directed toward diet and recovery, I'd like to have a break and just down the pills.:wink2:

So, any dangers or problems going for the pills? Any stories about going back to pills out there? Thanks in advance.

[MacMadame 81]

I agree about cutting them and getting sharp edges. I find a cut pill much harder to swallow than a slightly bigger uncut pill.

Edited because for some reason I thought you had a band. Brain not working, brain not working....

Anyway, my surgeon is of the "as tolerated" school of thought. So you can start pills as soon as you can tolerate them. I'm still doing liquids and chewables and I'm much farther out than you but I know people who go right back to pills as soon as they are out of the hospital.

Edited November 8, 2008 by MacMadame

[Mimilou2004 13]

I take various size pills, including a big Vitamin and Calcium and have no problems. I am 4 wks out and have no restriction, though. I will have to reassess after I get a fill. Good luck!

Mimi

[TheCloudPainter 0]

MY antibiotics tabs are huge and started taking them 4 days out of surgery. At first, my eyes went the size of saucers when I saw how big they were, but I just swallowed it with some Water and didn't have any adverse affects.

I was waiting for something to happen, but nothing did... thank goodness!

TheCloudPainter

Edited January 18, 2009 by TheCloudPainter

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I have some capsules that I have to take for a bladder disease. Will I not be able to take those immediately after surgery?

[MacMadame 81]

It depends on how big they are. Most programs say you can have pills that are smaller than an M&M. But if it's bigger than that, you may want to crush it, cut it in half, or -- in the case of a capsule -- empty it out into yogurt or something.

I would discuss this with your surgeon and/or PCP as there may also be an alternative form such as a liquid for your particular medicine.

[YUNIS 0]

I agree with Macmadame on what she said. When I went to the instruction classes at mercy hospital in Miami Florida, they told us that it would be a good idea to take a chewable Vitamin that is made for Bariatric post surgery and the rest of your pills should be discussed with your doctor. I will have the sleeve done March 17.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Yes, I am getting confused because some people posting in here are talking about restriction like it's a band or something. Don't you have immediate restriction with the sleeve?

[YUNIS 0]

You are right, your stomach is trimmed down to a size of a large banana. It is better than the band because the entrance to your stomach is not reduced to a small hole where food is passed through at a slow rate. Plus you have to pay for adjustments until you find the sweet spot.

[MacMadame 81]

Yes, you have immediate restriction that loosens up as the swelling goes down and the stomach tissues relax.