Dear Brain,
1st, Centrum makes an adult chewable; you only need one per day. Takes like orange; not bad. We also had the option of Flintstones but they're expensive & you need to take 2 vs. 1 for child. Hope that helps.
Was told for any pills I needed to crush to mix in supersmall plastic cups we were given to show us size of new stomach & basically amount stomach holds now.
Mix in crystal light - dry, pour down throat w/in reason & follow up with water then more crystal light once completely.
Don't do this within 30 mins + of beginning to start your meal.
I take a lot of RXs, too but was finally informed 06/14/12 that I could swallow any smaller than the size of a regular, pencil eraser.
Wow, what a difference this has made; no more crushing effective yesterday - woot, woot!
Most of mine are pre-scored so it wasn't too bad & was able to cut the others with a pill cutter I believe I picked up at a $1 Store.
Of course, you should check w/your healthcare providers about the Centrum & cutting of pills smaller than a pencil eraser.
They refer to my surgery as, "The Big One"; I has a l-a-r-g-e paraesophageal hiatal hernia along w/roux-en-y; also started at 335lbs.
I've previously had 26 lb ovarian tumor removed, large dermoid cyst & appendix removed Dec 2001 via open, 14" vertical incision - pain, you betcha & for quite some time.
Am I hurting now even though surg was 06/06/12 - you betcha?
I've been through a few complications since then but being in the ER wed early am w/continued stay in hospital through Thursday afternoon has detoxed me & eliminated my need to take more oxycondone for now along w/another med for side effects; miserable, constant itching.
As far as how much you can take pain-wise, hard to say but remember, you abdomen has been through a LOT of trauma. You've also had an organ reconfigured and your small intestine rerouted.
I has gallbladder removed in 2003; honestly, after the ovarian tumor, was not that bad. Just felt like someone had removed an organ for a few days afterwards.
My surg had suggested cutting my pain med dosage by 1/2 when I saw him this past Monday, 5 days post app.
Personally, I feel so much better not being on the pain meds now.
I can think clearly, function and make decisions and concentrate much better than before.\
Do I still have pain? Yes, the 2 largest incision sights.
Remember that there are areas when they've cut all you layers of skin & fat; it doesn't heal overnight but gets better each day.
You can do this; it sucks but you're just at the point where you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel but I assure you you're close.
Don't worry about your weight every single minute, some it water & fluids pumped into you.
Stick to to the post op diet as best as you possibly can especially w/maxing protein daily along w/staying well hyrated.
Dehydration will make things worse; nausea, dizzieness, etc. - it isn't pleasant.
When eating your little, pureed meals, start w/the protein to get as much in you at the correct level of consistency within the given time frame.
I've found that I really do file very pull about 20 mins to the minute after I finish ease during my 30 mins.
Well, I've rambled too much but hope something I've written may be helpful.
