I want the truth from you all.....

Hi Ann, Yes I take my Vitamins each morning, before surgery i was taking 15 pills daily and now I only have to take 3 so it is no biggy for me. I had surgery on the 22nd of Oct. 2003 and have had my 3 month blood work done and all is great so I am pleased. I have experienced no hair loss. But have developed an allergic reaction to either my peanuts or shrimp and shell fish we have not figured it out yet. 400/315

I keep forgetting to take mine too... in fact, I just bought another bottle because I gave the last bottle to my neice to give to her child because I could not stand the taste, it made me sick to my stomach. I am not brave enough to swallow vitamins yet.. I have taken no meds in pill form, I always get the liquid or chewable. I am scared to death it will get stuck. I am trying to do better though now because I'm starting to lose my hair... I know if I had been better about the vitamins earlier I may have prevented this but I was so sick and nauseated all the time I could not stomach them. I know my hair will come back though...

Ann, I only recently started taking them. I was afraid to at first. Then I kept forgetting. now I put them in a daily pill container (1 week worth) and keep it by my computer at work. The visual has helped me. I take: 1 Flinstone's 1 B-12 sublingual 1 Calcium (chelated) 1 Iron (not always religious about this one - but I'm working on it). Try different ways to get yourself on that habit. Water and protein have been harder for me. Weak decaf tea is helping with the water. For protein I HATE protein drinks so I have been trying to eat raw organic almonds as a snack. Best of luck in finding a routine that will help you achieve your goals/dreams!

I take mine every AM I just pour them all in a shot glass pretend its a duck fart (you don't want to know) and swallow !! KAthy 318.5/242.5/-76lbs

Hello, I had surgery on 10/20/03, so I'm about to have a 4 month anniversary. As for vitamins, I did really well until about two weeks ago. To be honest I really hate taking pills, so everyday is a challenge taking my vitamins. However, I really try hard to take them because when I don't I feel awful. As for my weight loss, it slowed down at some point and then I noticed when I started eating more protein- it just started up again. I lost 8 pounds in the last two weeks. As for exercise, I walk 30 minutes everyday at work and I do about 20 minutes on the Gazelle Elite. Liquids are a challenge for me. I drink about 32oz of crystal lite a day- I absolutely hate water. However, I am trying it little by little. I've been squeezing lemon in it. Well, everyone keep up the good work and hang in there. Hugs, Cherry Open RNY 276/211 (-65 pounds loss)

I think a lot of us don't drink the protein drinks due to the taste. Well, I found a protein drink @ Bailey's Powerhouse Gym that is great !! It is called ProPlete Complete. The banana creme flavor id the best.

Hey Ann, I take my vitamins everyday. I take 2 prenatal vits (1 in the am and 1 in the pm) and I chew 3 - 4 Viactiv chews (calcium). I just set them all out by the computer each day. As I want a dessert... I chew a Viactiv. I was drinking about 90 oz of water a day, but I've gotten lazy lately and started drinking way too much coffee. For example, today I've had about 40 oz of coffee (20 decaf and 20 reg) and 16 oz of water. I've gotta get back to business! As for the calories, I'm eating between 400-600 per day. Jackie

Ann in NC~ I take vitamins religiously! I keep one bottle at work and one bottle at home. B-12 Sublingual, Flintstones Chewable, liquid vitamins for my water and liquid protein. Every morning for breakfast I drink a 4 oz Soya protein shake. I joined a gym and work out 3-4 days per week I have lost 90 pounds in 4 months and my skin is doing better then excepted. >> THE PROBLEM- Hair Loss I lose between 300-500 hairs per day. I am lucky that I had a thick main of hair to begin with....with all the strict guidelines that I follow hair lose cannot be avoided. "Chewables work best for me"

Hi Ann, I had my surgery on the 30th of October and am down 75 lbs. I take my vitamins most of the time. This means that I generally skip it for whatever the reason twice a week. I prefer the Kirkland brand kids chewables (has adult doseage on back) and also chewable zinc, c, and calcium. All chewable, all yummy. They kinda remind me of eating smarties candy. I take them thru out the day. Like munchies, I also will tote around in the car, fanny pack etc. spray vitamins of all different types so I can just shoot some in my mouth like binaca. I get them from, "VITAMISTSPRAY.NET" I took these over 4 years ago while pregnant and unable to digest without puking any vitamins it was doctor recommended. I drink protien drinks from amway or whoever bought them out because they actually taste good and I also eat the trim vantage protien bars because they both have over 22 grams of protien and no sugar and taste good. As for the gross protien powder, I do have a scoop or two mixed in a blender with 1 banana, 1 container yougart, 1 cup frozen strawberries whole, 1/2 cup milk, and 2 packets of splenda or equal. This drink will last me all day but is loaded with protien and yummy. I am struggling to get in the water but I think for the most part I usually get it in. I too feel like I am pigging out all day... this has me bothered So I am thinking I need to find more stuff to do... keep the hands busy... not sure... I am currently on a little plataeu so I know that I need to increase water and start walking, this usually gets rid of it and weight starts falling off again after that. I also joined the YMCA for the water aerobics. Also I go in once a month for a vitamin B shot for extra energy. I hope this helps. God Bless, Angie

I'll put my two cents in on this....I have not been taking any of my medicications that I am supposed to be taking at all lately. I am supposed to take an anti-depressant and a thyroid pill and my vitamins but just can't stand the taste of any of them. They were making me gag and then vomit so I stopped. I know I need to start them again and will try and make a better effort on that. When can we start swallowing pills again? I remember asking my surgeon about this but now can't seem to think of it and am feeling lazy today so I won't go and look it up. Erin