The recovery process that gastric sleeve patients go through can be difficult for some. It’s not uncommon to experience abdominal pain in the weeks following the surgery. For this reason, many patients look for ways to relieve the pain.
A patient might ask for a prescription painkiller. But what painkillers are okay for gastric sleeve patients to take? Let’s find out.
Should Patients Be Taking Pain Meds After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?
Pain medication is an excellent way to reduce the pain experienced during recovery. Most surgeries come with a prescription painkiller to aid recovering patients. However, some bariatric clinics will only prescribe a painkiller if the patient asks for it or needs it.
There is a list of pain medications that are okay to take after Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Mexico.. But, due to how the surgery alters the digestive system, there are other medications that patients should avoid. Here are the lists.
Pain Medications To Avoid After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
What pain medications should be avoided after gastric sleeve surgery?
These medications include:
Over the counter NSAIDs. NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are all included in this class of medications. The reason they’re dangerous is because they can wear down the mucous membrane in the stomach. It’s not uncommon to hear of people taking NSAIDs and getting stomach ulcers.
Prescription NSAIDs, such as relafen, daypro, lodine, vimovo, indocin, and voltaren. These medications work the same way as their OTC counterparts, but they’re much more potent and are used for patients with more severe acute pain.
These medications become safe to take after about a month post-op. However, don’t take them again before talking to your doctor!
Pain Medications You can Take After Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Because of how NSAIDs act on the stomach, they should be avoided by patients recovering from gastric sleeve surgery. However, there are pain medications that are perfectly fine to take after surgery.
Recommended: Acetaminophen (or paracetamol outside the US). Acetaminophen is one of the most popular pain medications available over the counter. Tylenol is a brand of acetaminophen and is commonly used by gastric sleeve patients dealing with some minor abdominal pain.
Opioid-based pain medications are also allowed. Opioids include morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine. These medications are known for being highly addictive, which is why they are reserved for patients who are dealing with constant severe pain associated with recovery. It’s important to note that opioids do affect digestion, so they’re not typically prescribed to bariatric patients.
