First month complete. Update.
4 weeks post op as of yesterday and I'm down 24 lbs since surgery. I'm trying not to dwell on how slow the weight loss feels like it's going... but I am, a bit lol.
Labs look pretty good. My protein levels are great and all vites are good except for D so I've got a new prescription to go fill now.
I knew before surgery that Dr. Coates leaves a longer common channel length than some surgeons but I didn't know how long exactly (and I have no idea why I didn't ask... I just trusted him I guess, and don't get me wrong, I still do). Anyway, got a copy of my Operative Report today and found out that my cc is 125 cm. While weight loss might be slower because of this (right?), I'm pretty grateful that I haven't had any other issues and I've felt pretty good so far considering what my body is going through, is still healing, etc.
Erika
Had DS on February 11, 2014. Dr. Patrick Coates. Memorial Medical Center, Modesto, CA.
HW: 335 | SW: 309 | CW: 220 | GW: 130
You are doing great and as frustrating as slow weight loss is try to be glad it is moving. I am 7 months out and have months where I only lose 10 pounds. It makes me crazy, but it will add up and you will be feeling so good. I have lost 133 and have a ways to go, but I feel so much better already.
DS completed on 7/29/13
HW 379 SW 354 CW 190
Down 189 pounds
I don't think 125 is very long. 100 and 125 seem to be fairly common with current DS patients. Mine was 100. I don't think you'll have exceptional absorption at 125 but some of this is YMMV. Your milage may vary. :)
You're Doc should have a good sense of your needs but I've heard that sometimes the prescription D comes in gel caps which we don't absorb as well. If that's the case you may just want to ask your Doctor about that.
Welcome to the DS. 
Pete
HW 552 CW 198 SW 464 4/15/13 - Lap DS by Dr. Philip Schauer - Cleveland Clinic.
Thanks Pete :).
Yes, my prescription pills are, in fact, gel caps. It was the PA that prescribed them... I guess I'll see where I'm at with my vitamin D levels after my next labs and appointment and go from there.
Erika
Had DS on February 11, 2014. Dr. Patrick Coates. Memorial Medical Center, Modesto, CA.
HW: 335 | SW: 309 | CW: 220 | GW: 130
You are absolutely right to let your labs be your guide. If/when you do choose to look for a "dry" form of vitamin D you could look at Biotech on Amazon or www.vitalady.com.
Two other things you might do. Go through the archives about vitamin D. Vit D levels are a pretty common topic; doses, brands, and the interaction with calcium absorption. If you end up with more vitamin questions you can either post generally or into the daily vits/bites post by MajorMom (Gina) she is pretty informed on a lot of vitamin issues.
It's a lot to take in. It took me a while to start to add to the vitamin list my Doctor started me off on and I don't think I really started to take a lot of Vit D until after my 6 month labs. I was always just barely into the normal range and didn't have much luck raising my levels with the D in Citrical Max and several additional 2k pills.
I had a million questions my first 6 months. Don't be shy. :)
