Vitamins

I want you all to listen and listen good!!!! I am POed. I hear so much about RNYers who are 4+ years out from surgery and having problems. (Not in this group, but I'm a member of several other groups) The first thing I ask them is how they are doing with their vitamin intake. ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS they tell me, Oh I really don't take my vitamins, or I'm not that good about that! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! First and foremost, vitamins should be an every day habit. Multi-vitamins that are formulated specifically for bariactric patients are the best along with Extra B12 and Calcium. Now I'm hearing about a vitamin D deficiency that's causing joint pain in "graduate" post-ops. I've also heard about other B vitamins becoming deficient in "graduate" post ops. Get your labs done at least once a year if your levels are good, If you are having a problem (for example, low iron saturation, like me), every six months. Keep copies of your labs so you can compare them yourself. Be your own patient advocate. If there is a problem, it will be noted on the labs so you can speak to your surgeon about it. I also recommend seeing a nutritionist or dietition to help you in establishing a healthy eating regimin that will aid you in bringing your levels into their normal range. If you are not willing to take your vitamins EVERY DAY, don't come complaining about how bad you are feeling to me. I care about everybody on this board. You are all my WLS family. And as family we're supposed to take care of one another, right! But if you cannot comply with the first rule of WLS (Vitamins), then I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cut you loose. If you are compliant with your vitamins but are still having problems, I'm there baby. I will be your strong shoulder, hold your hand, sit with you and try to figure out what is going on, or if there's nothing going on, celebrate your good health with you. Sorry about this rant, but sometimes the best support you can give is a good kick in the A$$!!! I'm off of my soapbox now. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. Mwah! To all my WLS Loverlies.

I agree totally. Haven't responded in a while but you got one of my hot buttons. Also find out whether supplemental Iron and Magnesium is required. I also supplement with CLA, mega-B, and Chromega (fish oil). Although we definitely improve our heatlth with less weight, it doesn't mean that all the pain and suffering we put on all those major organs goes away overnight. Get with the program!

Iron absorption is a problem area with many RNYers. I personally have always had a problem with my Iron and should've been taking supplements ever since I first started my menstrual cycle. Those of us who still bleed every month should at the very least be taking extra iron during that time. Your Iron level in the blood can be good but your iron saturation (stored iron) is what you need to take care of. Unfortunately with many vitamin deficiencies, by the time you notice the symptoms, the damage is already done and is irreversable (especially with B12 deficiency). These deficiencies can lead to a lifetime of pain and discomfort. I'm hearing more and more about the Vitamin D problem in RNYers that are 4+ years out. Apparently this is causing joint pain. I don't think this is one of the standard tests that they do. I will be sure to have Dr. Irgau check my levels during my next set of labs.

I take my vites all the time....or most of the time. I do have something going on with B...not B12 but perhaps B1 or B2. Something I don't eat anymore and its taking a toll on white cells. I have started B complex drops a month ago....with B being a slow build up its going to be awhile before I build those stores up again. I hope I can. Funny thing is I saw the white cells going down and so did Dr's but they thought it was cold related.....watch everything even your cell counts and ask what could cause it.....Dr never mentioned B deficiency on white cells....I guess it slipped his mind. Debbie

I have also started a liquid B Complex supplement. I was originally looking for just the B12 but it was skiing season and I wanted that extra boost that the B Complex can give you during exercise. I've noticed a big difference in how I feel when I take it. My B vitamin levels are excellent and I want to keep it that way. I also drink Propel every day.

Seriously people, the acquaintence that put me on this tangent is an RNYer who is 10 years post op. She is now living with incredible daily pain and some days can hardly walk. She posted that she didn't understand what was going on because she had always been healthy. He Drs are testing her for all kinds of diseases. When I asked her about her vitamin and water intake, her reply was, "Oh I"m not really good about that". Even if her problems are not caused by some sort of vitamin deficiency, why take the risk. Having this surgery is about learning to take care of ourselves again. That means eating right, exercising and taking your supplements. This is not a miracle cure for obesity, it's a tool that we MUST take care of in order for it to work properly.