Taking medication with a LAP-BAND^®

Thread Starter  

HI, I am going to be banded on Friday 08 Aug. 2008. I need to take a lot of medication (about eight different tablets per day.) I understand this may be a serious problem with bockage when the band is installed. Does anyone know the best way to take drugs/meds/vitamins, etc. Are we talking about crushing in a mortal and pestle or some form of cutting or ???
Thanks for any help!!

Fortunately the meds I have to take daily are tiny!!! But on my periods I rely on pamprin for relief and the capsules are quite large. I have a pill cutter and cut them up into 3 pieces and take it that way. Tastes bad! Some pills you shouldn't cut or break up so always check with your pharmacist to be sure they can be crushed or cut up with no problem. Also ask if any of your meds come in liquid form? Sometimes they do have alternatives.

I take 12 pills a day and have not had a problem. I did the the Calcium Citrate in the new smaller pill, but never have had to cut them. I have only had 1 fill, but I can tell it is there.
I really think you will be ok for now. Maybe at a later date we might have to reduce the size but not now.
Hopefully, some of these will be eliminated in time. I have also been able to cut my diabetes meds in half.
Good Luck

I had the same concerns. I spoke with my primary physician and talked to the surgeons assistant to get some answers. They were very helpful! Some of the pills you can cut into smaller pieces and some of them I have to crush and put in applesauce - I am not sure how that will taste, but I can still take them.

They both said as I mover further along post-op I would most likely be able to go back to taking the time release meds and not have to worry. Definitely pose the question for your doc and the pharmacist, they will be able to tell what you need to do!

I had to change one of my meds to a different one for a month while my stomach heals. We will see how that goes. A pill cutter is really helpful. I know the pain meds and anti-naseau (sp) they put me on are liquids - not great tasting but easy to get down.

Good Luck with your surgery!

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Kristen
Surgery date: Aug. 5, 08

I asked the same question just last week. I had to meet with the clinic's pharmacist and she gave me a pill crusher and suggestions on what to do with each of my pills. I did have to get new prescriptions for a couple of my current pills because you should not break or crush the extended release pills. So, instead of once a day I will have to crush them twice a day and eat with applesauce or put in my "slurpees" that I make with the protein powders.

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