How to Take Medication After Lap-Band Surgery

Monday, 01 March 2010 16:44

After your Lap-Band surgery, you will have to make a lot of changes to the way you eat. You may also be required to make some adjustments to the way you take your medication. Larger pills and capsules could become stuck in the narrow opening created by your band, so it's important to take measures to ensure that any medication goes down smoothly.

• Liquids. Use chewable or liquid medications whenever possible. Vitamins and calcium supplements in particular are often fairly large in pill form, so look for chewable or liquid versions. If you can't find any, ask your pharmacist. The pharmacy may be able to special-order your supplements and vitamins. Also ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of your prescription medications are available in liquid form.
• Tablets. Very small pills should pass through your opening fine, but anything larger than a regular aspirin should be crushed. Mix the crushed medication in soft foods such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before crushing any pills, as doing so may reduce the effectiveness of some types of medication.
• Capsules. Instead of swallowing large capsules, open them and remove the powder. Most capsules will open fairly easily, allowing you to dump the powder into soft foods and discard the shell. Again, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before opening any capsules.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Avoid taking any NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, or Aleve, unless specifically instructed by your surgeon. NSAIDS can increase the risk of ulcers in Lap-Band patients and should generally be avoided.
• Medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. Ask your doctor if you should discontinue use of medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, or if your dosage should be reduced. Often, as Lap-Band patients lose weight, they will find they have less of a need for these types of medications, or may be able to discontinue their use entirely. Your doctor should monitor any co-morbidities carefully to make sure your medication dosages are appropriate.

Always tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Some medications may be less effective when taken together, so your doctor will need to have as much information as possible in order to make informed decisions about your treatment program. Never discontinue any medication without your doctor's approval.