Aspirin Quandry

I am scheduled for RNY on 1/4.  I have been cleared by my cardiologist and everyone else.  My RNY surgeon says no NASAIDs, ever.  My cardiologist says I need an adult aspirin every day for the rest of my life.  I take nitro (Imdur) and Lipitor and when I remember, I do take aspirin. RNY doc says stop taking aspirin 10 days before surgery. Cardiologist says take the aspirin, even through the surgery.  I have had three surgeries (two knees and a hip) while not stopping aspirin and have not had any excessive bleeding.  Cardiologist is now out of the country until mid-January.

RNY doc says I can take the aspirin with Prilosec, but at my own risk, post-surgery.  I have not had any cardio issues in several years and went of Plavix a couple of years ago.  I havenever  had any stomach issues, no GERD, nothing requiring antacids, ever.  I finally left it that I will not take aspirin for 10 days pre-surgery and will resume with Prilosec post-surgery.

Have any of you had this issue, and, if so, what did you do?  (RNY is the only WLS my insurance will cover and it is a band conversion.)

I would do the same as you.  I would definitely not take the aspirin right before surgery because of the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery.  But in my mind, my heart is more important than protecting myself from a possible ulcer.

Will taking one aspirin a day give you an ulcer?  Maybe.  There's probably a good chance it won't, taken with Prilosec. but it might.  But I'd way rather have an ulcer than a heart attack.

I think there are a few on here that are on aspirin therapy.   Quite honestly, if my cardiologist says I have to take a mini aspirin a day, I'll choose NOT having a heart attack over the "possibility" of an ulcer!!!!

As long as all the doctors who have you in their care are aware of what you are taking and why, and they still recommend it, I would do it before worrying about what works for the rest of us on here that don't have your health difficulties and risks!!!!!  

Most of the commentators on here just give advice that they have heard second or third hand or what they have learned from Google - it rarely comes from a place of education - and without knowing someone's medical history (which we don't)  NONE of us is qualified to give  you an opinion different to the doctors that do have that education and knowledge of you personally!!

Lastly, it is imperative that we all take responsibility for our own health and care - in conjunction with our doctors.    Ultimately it is YOUR decision what you take or don't take.    By all means take in all the opinions given on here, but ALWAYS make your own decision - and don't rely on old ladies (or men) on the internet for your information or health decisions!

ETA:   Good luck with your surgery!

^^^^^^ditto what she said^^^^^^

Were I to find myself in your situation here's what I would do:

1. Appeal my insurance companies' decision, since I would have a valid medical reason why I should have the Sleeve rather than the RNY. (The on-going need for NSAIDs.)

2. Stop the aspirin 1 days before surgery---unless my cardio was adamant. (Have you had a previous heart attack?)

I had to quit taking my aspirin a week before surgery !

I've recently had to start the 81mg aspiring therapy as directed by my cardio doc.  BUT, my surgeon's nurse said to ONLY take in after taking a Prilosec.  I have a script for the 20 mg Omeprezole (generic Prilosec), but did not that Kaiser pharmacy carried a OTC version of generic Prilosec "on the OTC shelf", 28 capsules for $5--far cheaper than the traditional OTC advertised one.  My surgeon said to follow your doc's recommendation for baby aspirin--as it's far better than the potentialy deadly alternative. BUT, again only take with something to coat your stomach--generic Prilosec is you cheapest choice. DAVE

I have a long cardiac history and I used to take an adult aspirin a day. Before surgery my surgeon told me to quit taking it 2 weeks before. I consulted my cardiologist who said to take it up to 7 days before and I would be fine. I did that and I was fie. After surgery, it was no aspirin for I think a week and I now take a baby aspirin a day with prevacid. No problems yet. Hoping there never will be any. I do not feel safe unless I take it. My heart is too damaged to go without.

i was told the chewable baby asprin if i had to take any was the way to go...the ones with the coating on it then sit and can burn in the pouch as it take so long to break it down..but my bypass surgeon said If i had to take a asprin like my PCM wanted me to..then the baby chewables were the way to go..i have not taken any since surgery....

but if i have to take a mortin, then he also told me in extreme cases...take the liquid gel caps and its liquid and easier to diegest and get going in the system and not buring while trying to digest....so when i HAD to take a motrin, that is what i did....but i also take nexium with them when and if i do take them.....

i know all drs are different....i am almost 2 years post op...good luck on your decision..

debby

Thank you for all of your thoughts.  I have had three heart attacks.  One was cleared with angioplasty.  Number two was a total blockage at the top of circumflex, requiring a stent.  Turned out to be a recalled stent and blocked again 90-days-out.  During a nightmare of a procedure, most was cut out until the balloon burst in my heart.  There was 10% residual plaque which they decided to leave under the cir****tances and just get out of there.  Was on Plavix, aspirin and sublingual nitro for a few years and switched to Imdur w/a water pill.  I take an adult aspirin daily.

I guess I would rather risk an ulcer than another heart attack.  Fortunately, I worked in Cardiopulmonary while all this was going on, so I was at the right place at the right time.

Blessings!

Lynn