NEW with a date, and concerned!!!

Hi I am new to this website, and I have a date of March 10, I was told all I ever have to take is Flinstone Complete Vitamins for the rest of my life, and I won't have any problems. I have read a few of the entrys and see protien drops, iron, and b-12 shots. If anyone has any ideas for me before my surgery please let me know, I'm sooooooo excited and nervous that I want to make sure I have everything I need to suceed!! I would appreciate any and all advise!!!

Wonderful! We have the same surgery date! I'm so glad you have realized that flintstones aren't the way to go! Calcium citrate (with magnesium and D) is one thing you'll want to make sure you get - Iron is important, especially if you have been anemic ever, I bought some carbonyl type, it seems to be easier on the stomache. Protein is a huge thing that a lot of folks have troubles getting enough of. I suggest getting samples of a bunch of different protein drinks and trying to find one you like after surgery. You can start "protein loading" now to help your body be prepared to heal. Vitamin C will help with that, too. B-12 isn't necessarily something DSers have to worry about as much, since we do process some in the stomache, but, I'm going to get sublingual dots for mine, just because I do NOT ever want to have to deal with what I have seen in others who have "crashed" nutritionally. I've heard 90-120gr protein a day, 2000 miligram calcium citrate per day (capsules are easier than regular pills for the pouch, too) and a centrum or other really good multi vitamin that you will likely double the regular dose. Iron needs to be taken with vitamin c, and at least an hour before other vitamins. Calcium needs to be spread throughout the day, and usually take the last dose before bedtime. My main goals aside from 64oz water a day, vitamins and drinking at least 3 protein drinks per day is lots of protein for food, and fewer carbs. I'm avoiding milk and sugar as part of my regime. Lots of folks believe we should watch the sugar since we process it completely. For more information, you may want to join the yahoo group - [email protected] and get involved in the conversation there. Good luck! Jill

D'oh. I'm so sorry, I realized, I was thinking this is the DS group and it's not! You definitely will need b-12 if you are a RNY person - But still, most of the other stuff is the same the avoiding milk and sugar, especially! Good luck, and blessings, Jill

Thanks!! I didn't think that was right but my husband kept telling me that that was what the doctor kept saying, so I wanted to make sure. I'm glad we have the same date GOOD LUCK!!! You'll be in my prayers. Barbara

My nutritionist told me to take bariatric formula vitamins because they have the iron and B12 you will need plus they have calcium. You may also need a calcium supplement like viactiv to meet the 1200-1500 mg a day, but make sure you take it at a different time then your vitamin since your body can only absorb a little at a time. I was told that as long as you take the bariatric formula vitamins with the 1 viactiv you wont need all that other stuff. Also you need to work up to getting 60 grams of protein a day, whether it is in food, shakes, or whatever. Some brands we were told about that are good are vista vitamins, isotonix, and optisource vitamins. Also when looking for a protein shake I was told to get whey protein and low/no sugar. This is why I am glad my surgeon sends us to a mandatory 6 week nutrition class, I have an entire folder of info. I hope this was helpful and good luck.

I have not heard good things about viactiv, though, because as I understand it, it is not calcium citrate. Very true on the protein, though - Whey is best, and no/low sugar is good - look for ones with 25-30g protein per serving. I go through vitalady. Bariatric advantage does have good pills, but they are spendy, and you can't really adjust as needed if some things are low, and some things are high. I hear good things about their calcium lozenges, though.