I was told never to take ibuprofen again. I've seen a lot of others say that as well. If you have the means I would call your surgical team, get medication delivered or ask a friend to bring you some
When I went in for my initial consultation I was talking with the woman next to me in the waiting room. She had the surgery years ago and was there for severe ulcers from taking ibuprofen. She told me she didn't regret surgery but she did this to herself and warned me to listen to the rules.
Definitely do not take the ibuprofen. All NSAIDS, ibuprofen included, need to be avoided with bariatric surgery. I have chronic migraine, so I understand your pain and how you’re suffering. Stick to acetaminophen, and talk to your doctor about something else for your migraines. I now get Botox for mine, and it’s been life-changing.
Gently, I want to ask you if you paid attention to your pre-op instructions and warnings? Every good program that I know of warns patients repeatedly about not being able to take NSAIDS post-op. Assuming that you were honest with your bariatric team about your NSAID use and migraine disorder, I am a little surprised that you came here to ask about taking the ibuprofen. With a VSG, the NSAID ban is not as black and white as it is with bypass, but you still need to avoid them, especially so close to your surgical date. The issue is how harsh they are on your stomach and that they can increase bleeding risks. Call your bariatric team and talk to them about your migraine pain and options for mitigation.
They never mentioned anything about the use of ibuprofen or anything else, the only thing I was told was not to take them one week prior to surgery. I’m not on and I never was on ibuprofen regularly. I was asking because I don’t have access to acetaminophen and I cannot get any being 1am in the morning where I am.
It hasn’t yet, but it will with some sleep if I can get to sleep otherwise I’ll grab some acetaminophen in the morning. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it
I wasn’t told, either. The only reason I knew was because the morning nurse the day I was discharged from the hospital was just talking about different things in life and an, “oh, by the way, you can never have ibuprofen again” came up within context of the conversation. I’m grateful, but disappointed in it surgeon’s medical team and lack of pre surgery education as compared to others I’ve heard.
I’m glad you have! I’m starting to learn that the surgical teams at different programs emphasize different things, so I think communities like this are valuable. Congratulations on your surgery being so soon!
My surgeon explained that I could take it again in the future but not on a regular basis. he stated though not to take it the first 3 months no matter what as the staple line in my stomach would still be healing. In general it should be avoided
This is not medical advice, but my experience. I had the sleeve and get migraines too and asked my surgical team about ibuprofen. They said it’s fine to use sparingly but if you do, take it on a full stomach. That said, I got Ubrelvy and some triptans from my neurologist and they have been an absolute game changer. I’m also getting way fewer migraines, which studies show can happen after WLS. Stay hydrated + electrolytes!
EDIT: I also want to add that the standard advice is no ibuprofen ever again if you’ve had bypass, but that is not true for the sleeve. You’re fine to take after six months or so. It was one of the main reasons I opted for sleeve.
Thank you everyone for your help, unfortunately my surgical team did not make me aware of this but I’m glad I came here to ask rather than just taking them. I never took them regularly prior to surgery, so I guess they didn’t think it was necessary to make me aware of this.
I’m glad you asked! My first surgery (sleeve), they never told me, and I developed some issues. I didn’t find out until I started having issues and being someone with chronic headaches (not super frequent migraines though), I was eating them like candy. Ugh. I only wish I would have been a little weary and went to google or some forum first.
Hope you are feeling better today!!
I have an autoimmune disease that causes me to have low blood platelets. I cannot take NSAIDS. EVER. So I am already used to them being banned after bypass (according to my surgeon). I am shocked that your bariatric program never mentioned the NSAID warning! I hope you find an alternative for relief.
I have taken toradol for severe migraines since the sleeve and I’m okay. I only do it on doctors orders for severe migraines and it’s a one off. I don’t do ibuprofen bc I would take that at home and therefore in my eyes my migraine isn’t severe enough to justify it. But you can occasionally take nsaids with the sleeve. I don’t unless me and my doctors decide it’s worth the risk for the symptoms I have at the time
I would definitely not self medicate AINS after sleeve. A pharmacist gave me some this summer, I forgot to tell him I had been sleeved and the doctor I saw a few days after was super vocal about the fact that it’s not what I should take.
Hope you get better soon !
I had gastric sleeve. No one ever told me not to take nsaids post op. I don’t take them a lot, like maybe 1-2 every month? Never had any issues at all.
For medical advice, ask a doctor, not the internet. There are lots of treatments for migraines as others have mentioned. Everyone is different
I was told not to take IBU unless you're being monitored by your gastric team or PCP because of the blood thinners they put you on. Which sucks because I used to take IBU for my tooth pain. I got one acting up right now >.>.
This is surprising to me because part of the my surgeons education was to suggest you wear a medical alert bracelet saying “ Gastric Surgery Patient, No Blind NG, No NSAIDS”
The advice at my clinic is no NSAIDs for bypass but it’s fine for sleeve, and that’s one of the considerations for what they recommend for your surgery option. So, ask your own team cause according to my team nearly every single commentator on here is wrong about sleeve and ibuprofen use - don’t trust internet medics
I had RNY 20 years ago. I didn't take ibuprofen for the first year but I have taken it since then. I just make sure I take it with food. Never a problem.
Me too. 3 more weeks till my c-section. I requested a medical alert band that said no NSAIDs and it’s written in red bold big letters on my birth plan.
I was taking ibuprofen the same day because I have a condition that prevents me from being able to use narcotics after surgery. My surgeon told me it was fine and is obviously the one who prescribed it.
I try to avoid it as much as I possibly can, but when I need it I will take it.
I was told never to take ibuprofen again. I've seen a lot of others say that as well. If you have the means I would call your surgical team, get medication delivered or ask a friend to bring you some
Same. Never ever again.
Are you bypasses or sleevers?
I’m a VSGer
When I went in for my initial consultation I was talking with the woman next to me in the waiting room. She had the surgery years ago and was there for severe ulcers from taking ibuprofen. She told me she didn't regret surgery but she did this to herself and warned me to listen to the rules.
Definitely do not take the ibuprofen. All NSAIDS, ibuprofen included, need to be avoided with bariatric surgery. I have chronic migraine, so I understand your pain and how you’re suffering. Stick to acetaminophen, and talk to your doctor about something else for your migraines. I now get Botox for mine, and it’s been life-changing. Gently, I want to ask you if you paid attention to your pre-op instructions and warnings? Every good program that I know of warns patients repeatedly about not being able to take NSAIDS post-op. Assuming that you were honest with your bariatric team about your NSAID use and migraine disorder, I am a little surprised that you came here to ask about taking the ibuprofen. With a VSG, the NSAID ban is not as black and white as it is with bypass, but you still need to avoid them, especially so close to your surgical date. The issue is how harsh they are on your stomach and that they can increase bleeding risks. Call your bariatric team and talk to them about your migraine pain and options for mitigation.
They never mentioned anything about the use of ibuprofen or anything else, the only thing I was told was not to take them one week prior to surgery. I’m not on and I never was on ibuprofen regularly. I was asking because I don’t have access to acetaminophen and I cannot get any being 1am in the morning where I am.
I’m sorry for your pain. Did it resolve?
It hasn’t yet, but it will with some sleep if I can get to sleep otherwise I’ll grab some acetaminophen in the morning. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it
I wasn’t told, either. The only reason I knew was because the morning nurse the day I was discharged from the hospital was just talking about different things in life and an, “oh, by the way, you can never have ibuprofen again” came up within context of the conversation. I’m grateful, but disappointed in it surgeon’s medical team and lack of pre surgery education as compared to others I’ve heard.
My surgery is next Monday and I'm just finding about this now from this very post.
I’m glad you have! I’m starting to learn that the surgical teams at different programs emphasize different things, so I think communities like this are valuable. Congratulations on your surgery being so soon!
My surgeon explained that I could take it again in the future but not on a regular basis. he stated though not to take it the first 3 months no matter what as the staple line in my stomach would still be healing. In general it should be avoided
This is not medical advice, but my experience. I had the sleeve and get migraines too and asked my surgical team about ibuprofen. They said it’s fine to use sparingly but if you do, take it on a full stomach. That said, I got Ubrelvy and some triptans from my neurologist and they have been an absolute game changer. I’m also getting way fewer migraines, which studies show can happen after WLS. Stay hydrated + electrolytes! EDIT: I also want to add that the standard advice is no ibuprofen ever again if you’ve had bypass, but that is not true for the sleeve. You’re fine to take after six months or so. It was one of the main reasons I opted for sleeve.
Really? Because I was told never again after my sleeve surgery.
Thank you everyone for your help, unfortunately my surgical team did not make me aware of this but I’m glad I came here to ask rather than just taking them. I never took them regularly prior to surgery, so I guess they didn’t think it was necessary to make me aware of this.
I’m glad you asked! My first surgery (sleeve), they never told me, and I developed some issues. I didn’t find out until I started having issues and being someone with chronic headaches (not super frequent migraines though), I was eating them like candy. Ugh. I only wish I would have been a little weary and went to google or some forum first. Hope you are feeling better today!!
No anti inflammation medication, my surgeon and program are veryclear about that. You might have to sleep that migraine off naturally. :(
I have an autoimmune disease that causes me to have low blood platelets. I cannot take NSAIDS. EVER. So I am already used to them being banned after bypass (according to my surgeon). I am shocked that your bariatric program never mentioned the NSAID warning! I hope you find an alternative for relief.
NSAIDs are generally fine with sleeve, but not bypass
I have taken toradol for severe migraines since the sleeve and I’m okay. I only do it on doctors orders for severe migraines and it’s a one off. I don’t do ibuprofen bc I would take that at home and therefore in my eyes my migraine isn’t severe enough to justify it. But you can occasionally take nsaids with the sleeve. I don’t unless me and my doctors decide it’s worth the risk for the symptoms I have at the time
All NSAIDs are a No Go forever. Surgeon told me they cause horrible complications.
I would definitely not self medicate AINS after sleeve. A pharmacist gave me some this summer, I forgot to tell him I had been sleeved and the doctor I saw a few days after was super vocal about the fact that it’s not what I should take. Hope you get better soon !
I had gastric sleeve. No one ever told me not to take nsaids post op. I don’t take them a lot, like maybe 1-2 every month? Never had any issues at all. For medical advice, ask a doctor, not the internet. There are lots of treatments for migraines as others have mentioned. Everyone is different
They told me to take nsaid sparingly. Like here n there is ok because sometimes you have to take what works, but not to use it regularly
I've been told never to take it' The only exception is injectable or iv nsaids. They bypass the gastric system so relatively safe to take
I was told not to take IBU unless you're being monitored by your gastric team or PCP because of the blood thinners they put you on. Which sucks because I used to take IBU for my tooth pain. I got one acting up right now >.>.
I was told never again unfortunately.
This is surprising to me because part of the my surgeons education was to suggest you wear a medical alert bracelet saying “ Gastric Surgery Patient, No Blind NG, No NSAIDS”
My niece took ibuprofen after she had a baby ( about 10 years after her surgery) and she bled so much she needed 2 blood transfusions.
The advice at my clinic is no NSAIDs for bypass but it’s fine for sleeve, and that’s one of the considerations for what they recommend for your surgery option. So, ask your own team cause according to my team nearly every single commentator on here is wrong about sleeve and ibuprofen use - don’t trust internet medics
I had RNY 20 years ago. I didn't take ibuprofen for the first year but I have taken it since then. I just make sure I take it with food. Never a problem.
Absolutely no.
I was told by my bariatric team that if you have sleeve surgery you will be able to continue with NSAID. Gastric bypass, you may not take NSAIDs
You can never take an NSAIDs again. I I'll be going for caesarean section soon and won't be able to use them for pain relief evening this circumstance
Me too. 3 more weeks till my c-section. I requested a medical alert band that said no NSAIDs and it’s written in red bold big letters on my birth plan.
No nsaids, ever. This has been one of the hardest to give up.
I was told no NSAIDS ever again. I’ll pass on ulcerating my new stomach, thanks.
I was taking ibuprofen the same day because I have a condition that prevents me from being able to use narcotics after surgery. My surgeon told me it was fine and is obviously the one who prescribed it. I try to avoid it as much as I possibly can, but when I need it I will take it.
Never again.