vitamins

What is the correct dose of b vitamins that you all take post op? How much calcium and iron do you all take? Do you find tht a certain vitamin absorbs better than another? I have never used over the counter vitamins. I truly believe in investing in your health and a good quality vitamin. I have always taken nutrilite vitamins and I have even toured their farms and manufacturing plant in CA. They ar ea more natural based vitamin and dissolve within 1o minutes in your stomach? Do you think these would be ok? Let me know what you all use.... Thanks...less than 1 week...YEAH!!!! Thanks for all your help, Tammy

Tammy, I am exactly one year post op tomorrow and can tell you what I take. I take Centrum Chewable vitamins which I get from Walmart (around $6). For calcium, I use Twin Lab chewable calcium citrate. I take 2 wafers (500mg) since I since a milk based protein drink for breakfast and have a cup of yogurt for lunch. That added with a cheese stick snack ensures I get the rest of my calcium in each day. I have had my blood work done every 3 months and everything continues to be in the normal range including my B12 and iron. Let me know if you have any other questions. Janine 5/16/03 BTC-Illinois 273/???/???

Tammy -- I'm only a few weeks post-op, but have been taking the Bugs Bunny chewable vitamins. I'm waiting on the order I placed for Vista Vitamins (chewable) to arrive. You can order a 4-week supply from Susan Maria at www.bariatriceating.com (or get on an auto refill program at vistavitamins.com). They cost more ($42.50/month, but heck I spent way more than that on prescriptions pre-op!). They are specially formulated for bariatric patients for maximum absorption. You can read more about them on either site. There is conflicting info on calcium (citrate vs. carbonate). My doc recommends 1,500 of calcium per day, which I'm getting from Viactiv right now, but may switch to something else later. She doesn't have us start iron or B until 6 weeks post-op. Francie P Lap RNY/18 days post-op -16.5 lbs.

This is what my doctor requires us to take. This is taken directly from his instruction pages. MANDATORY EVERYDAY I. MUTLIPLE VITAMINS (one every day or two children's chewable per day) in the AM II. Vitamin B 12 (one 500 micrograms pill per day or injection of 1,000 mcg each month) in the am III. Iron (once a day) in the pm with vitamin c IV. Vitamin C (500 to 1500 mgs per day) in the pm with iron V. Calcium (1000 mgs per day) one hour apart from all other vitamins/medications I. Multiple Vitamins Please choose ONE of the following options, if choosing an adult vitamin take once per day. If you choose a children's chewable vitamin, take two per day. A. Flintstones or other chewable tablets B. Theragram, Centrum, or equivalent multivitamin (liquid only) III. IRON (Please take one of the options below) A. Feosol 325 mg (Ferrous Sulfate) (65 mg iron) B. Fergon 240 mg (Ferrous Cluconate) (27 mg iron) C. Slow FE 160 mg (Ferrous Sulfate) (50 mg Iron) D. Niferex 150 mg or Niferex Elixir 10 cc per day E. Iron Gel Capsules (Generic Iron) Administration Take the tablet with juice (preferably orange juice) or water but not with milk or antacids. Don't take with food that may impair oral iron absorption (yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk, whole-grain breads and cereals, tea, and coffee). If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered, but don't take a double dose. Precautions To avoid staining teeth, do not crush tablets or chew extended-release iron preparations. V. Calcium (Please take ONE Of the options below, 1000 mg per day) A. Tums Carbonate (take two or three chewable) B. Calcium Carbonate (take one chewable tablet) C. Calcium Citrate (take one liquitab) D. Viaciv Chewable (take two chewable) I looked at the values for Vista vitamins & was not impressed. I understood they are supposed to be the only thing you need to take. It's all there already. However, they only supply 18 mg of Iron & 300 of Calcium. As women, we especially need our Calcium & even though I eat cheese (I'm lactose intolerant so don't drink milk) I want to make sure I get enough with supplements. Now that I am 5 months out, I no longer take chewables. I swallow the tablets. I also take Calcium Citrate in the form of Citrical. Dixie