Absolutely you can attend the support group there, Jesi.  It is for anyone who has had the surgery or is contemplating having the surgery and I am sure you could go to the support group.  It is on the second Tuesday of each month and there is a different topic/focus for each group.  I know the next one is on Feb. 3rd. from 6-7 if you want to go to one.  Yes, definitely call Debi or Chris Melichar.  Both have been spectacular at helping me.

I am trying to go to the Feb. support group but I'm not sure it will work out for me this time.  I am hoping though, so I might see you there if you go.  Would be nice to meet you in person! 

Carol

When I went thru UIHC they did have you do the childrens chewables for the first couple months.  They used to also have their patients due TUMS for calcium until I questioned that and brought a lot of research on how we weren't able to absorb calcium carbonate compared to citrate. 
I unfortunetly have a lot of absorption issues, so I have to make sure I am taking the best supplements possible.  Even with really good supplements, at massive doses, I still have a lot of deficiencies.  I take prescription iron and an iron from bariatric eating . com ...... I even had a hysterectomy at 26 and still have MAJOR iron issues.  I also have to take MASSIVE doses of potassium as I know longer absorb that.....also prescription.  I take a lot of B12, but I should be doing injections.  I take a B complex along with my B 12, I don't absorb B's very well either.  I take citracal petites for my calcium, they are small and gentle on your pouch.....I also take some chewable calcium I get at Bariatric eating.  I get some  my multi vites from bariatric eating also. I am switching who I order from and I am going to start ordering from Vitalady.com.....she really knows her stuff.  When I had surgery with Maher, he actually transected the intestines,(cut them out) and I think that is why I am having major issues.  But who knows!  The health food stores here have a lot of stuff.....but aren't too up on gastric bypass questions....a lot of the stuff they carry isn't easily absorbed by us.......unless you can get it in capsule form.   I have went in a bought a lot of stuff I wasn't able to use because they were huge horse pills we would never break down enough.  Best thing you can do is start taking everything now.....get your body super healthy, lots of vitamins, lots of protein.....and never slack on your supplements afterwards.  I also take my supplements and I still have problems :(  Be super vigalent and hopefully you won't   But you can never be to careful......once you start having problems.....they are REALLY hard to correct.  I had surgery at 25, I am 30 now and take more pills than my mom, dad, husband, and three kids combined just to stay at a little below normal ranges......I don't know what I would have to do to be "normal" again.  Check out Vitalady (you can google it to get the website) at first it might seems expensive, but they last months and it is a lot cheaper being healthy.  Best wishes and take care  Jesi

I hope I will be writing the same thing in the next month or two!  I can't wait to hear how it all goes!  Congrats on the 6 pounds!  I think when I hear of the insurance approval I will start working on losing.  Try and get my stomach prepared for less!

Keep us updated!
Kristi

Thanks so much for the information, Lyn.  Everyone has been so helpful here and I truly appreciate it.  Just one question about the calcium............where do you get the citrical petites? 

I am so glad you just had B6 problems and not ALS or MS!  I hope that you are okay now and don't have any lingering problems due to that. 

Thank you again for your information and help! 

Carol 

I use Optisource vitamins from Walgreens.  They are formulated for gastric bypass patients.

I use Rexall brand B12 sublingual from Walmart.  Really cheap.

I use the citrical petites for Calcium.

Be careful of using B complex liquid.  I was using that and was getting too much B6 and was having all sorts of neuological symptoms that they thought could be ALS or MS.  Only the B6, thankfully.