Vitamins/minerals...whatcha takin'?

Kathy and I had a little bit of posting on this awhile back, mostly concerning the Calcium Citrate. I was curious to know what everyone takes. Now my surgeon had me on 2 Flinstone's with iron and 1200 of the CaCitrate and that's it. I've never had any complications and recently got back my labs which look perfectly fine...nothing borderline. He was very impressed with my iron levels and B12 as well. I spoke with a friend who is 4 years post-op and takes 1 mutivitamin, her Calcium as well as montly b12 shots. She reminded me of course that every surgeon is different and everyone's body does different things (some have major deficiencies, etc.). She was glad my levels are all supergreat. I did call the dietician to ask her what SHE recommended as far as taking an Adult Multivitamin twice a day (so I can get the selenium, b1, etc.) but she didn't return my call...on vacation and back on Monday. Whew, I didn't think this post would be this long! Okay, so what do YOU take?? For now, I'm taking my 2 Flintstone's with Iron, 1200 of the CaCitrate, and one fish oil pill. I'm abiding by what my surgeon says but I'm doing my homework and awaiting this lady's phonecall in the meantime. Thanks ladies and gent. ana 221/131 healthy, normal and happy!

My basics are: 2 adult multi-vitamins 2 Vitron C (iron) 2 vit C (extra C along with the iron) 1 B12 sublingual (2500 mcg) 2 B100 (B complex) 2000 mg calcium citrate FYI, I was told to take all of the above by my surgeon except for the extra Cs and the B100s. Right after surgery, I was put on a separate small B1 supplement for the first month and then a B50 complex from thereafter. I was having some neuropathy so I did some research and changed the B50 to a B100 and then made it 2. The neuropathy faded. I just told my doctor that and she took note of that. Both Laurie and KathieInHawaii (from the main board) had B1 deficiencies while I believe they were taking adult multi-vitamins so apparently even adult multi-vitamins may not have enough B1 for some post-ops. I personally don't think it is a hardship to take 1 extra B complex (50 or 100) a day to stave off some pretty serious issues. KathieInHawaii got down to 87 lbs and had 2 heart attacks and a stroke before the doctors diagnosed the deficiency. It was pretty sad but she is doing much better now. She posted that the ASBS (American Society of Bariatric Surgeons) conference the week after next will hopefully be addressing the deficiencies that are being seen. It would be fabulous if there was some standardization of vitamin regimens. Additions: 2 fiber choice (for extra fiber) 1 selenium (200 mcg) - take this because the children's vitamins I took didn't have it and I was low (my doc tested this) 1 milk thistle (600 mg) - it is supposed to help liver enzymes and mine are elevated 2 pouches Coromega emulsified fish oil (fish oil is usually in an oil base and since we malabsorb fats... we may not absorb much of a regular pills, the emulsified stuff is like a paste - I take this because it is a natural anti-inflammatory and could help my back if I took it regularly enough!) 1 vit D (dry) 1 vit E (dry) 2 magnesium oxide (to help with the constipating effects of the calcium citrate) Kathy

You are on top of things alright! Good for you! I too wish they would do some standardization but I guess it's hard when our bodies do different things. On the opposite end of things, a different gal I know who is 4 years post-op hasn't taken a single vitamin in a year!!!! She says, "It's hard with 3 kids ages 1-5!" Believe it or not, she has no deficiencies!!! At least not, yet. But she's getting lots of her food obviously. So who knows! But I want to do what's right for my body. I have a long life yet to live and I want to stay on the right track!

Rich takes the same basics as me but his "additions" are less and different from me. I also thinks he only takes 1 iron a day and that was added after he was low. He takes extra Vit A since he was low in that too. Hopefully your friend will do okay and hopefully her doctor is running enough labs to determine if she has an deficiencies. I guess my question is why risk your health when all it basically takes is a few simple vitamins. Mind you, I don't have 3 young children but I think if something is important enough... you make it happen. I lay out my vitamins one evening a week for the while week. I don't really have to remember much other than to grab my baggie. It basically is my routine now. Kathy

I take Centrum Chewable and 2 Citrical in the a.m. Depending on what I eat at lunch (if it has dairy or calcium then I'll take my 2nd calcium dose) I will have my iron If I didn't take my calcium at lunch then I'll take it after dinner or with dinner or later in the evening. I also do B-12 injection once/month I take 2 fibercon in the a.m. also I had my labs done the other day and EVERYTHING is completely improved. My HDL/LDL ratio is incredible (3.7), my cholesterol is fantastic (like in the mid 150s), triglycerides are 82, Protein is good, etc. Michelle

I take: Synthroid(Thyroid Med) and two Calcium Citrates first thing when I get up. Then I have to wait an hour to eat(b/c of thyroid med)I usually drink 32oz of water during this time. Two Fiber Choice pills right before breakfast Centrum Chewable Multi with lunch Two Calcium Citrates at bedtime Monthly B-12 inject. done at PCPs office Candy so far labs have been execellent!

I take 1 multivitamin with iron, 1200 of calcium D, and a B12 dot, my labs have been great as well, other than the B12, which is why I supplement.