A common question that people have after they’ve had gastric sleeve surgery is what medications need to be avoided. It’s important to understand the medications that you should avoid as you heal from the procedure and why they’re important for your health.
In this blog post, we will go over a list of what medications not to take after gastric sleeve surgery and why they need to be avoided.
Medications to Avoid After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
- Alka Seltzer products: they increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
- Aspirin products (all brand names and generics, including baby aspirin and enteric-coated aspirin): they increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
- Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol products): they include salicylate, which can interfere with the clotting process.
- Celebrex: slows healing after surgery
- Coricidin cold medicines: they increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
- Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone): they increase the risk fo developing stomach ulcers in the healing organ.
- Fiorinal (contains aspirin): increases the risk of excessive bleeding.
- Ibuprofen (an NSAID, common brand names are Advil, Motrin): slows the healing process.
- Naproxen (an NSAID, common brand name is Aleve): slows the healing process.
Other Factors to Keep in Mind
Directly after gastric sleeve surgery in Lubbock, TX, you should not take any medications without the approval of your doctor. At first, you may only be able to consume liquid medications, then as your stomach heals, begin taking pills again.
Even after you are healed, larger pills may be difficult to take as they can become lodged due to the reduced size of your gastric pathways. Also, time-release versions of medications may no longer work with your altered gastro-intestinal tract. You also need to closely monitor how you respond to medications, even those you have taken many times in the past, as your body’s response can change.
Whenever you see a new doctor and are prescribed medications, be certain to tell them that you have had gastric sleeve surgery. Even with doctors who you’ve told in the past, remind them at each appointment. This might impact how they write your prescription.
Ultimately, getting surgery won’t prevent you from taking any of these medications in the long run, just during the healing period. Once you are outside of those initial weeks, you can begin to take these again while exercising caution. If you are worried about bariatric-friendly medications, talk to West Texas Bariatrics. We offer gastric bypass surgery in Lubbock and know all the ins and outs of life after surgery.
Worried about GERD after your procedure? Read: How Can I Fix My Acid Reflux After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
