Another Concern...

Vitamin levels.... Now that I am re-married, my health insurance has changed and of course my Surgeons office is not covered and neither is my GP who shared office space with my surgeon so I have not been in to see either in quite some time. I would say well over a year and a half ago was my last visit. I need to find a new doctor who understands bariatric surgery etc and also I'm not sure what types of tests to have run if I do find a new doctor. I'm currently covered by M-Plan under the Methodist Medical Group. Anyone have any suggestions? Ideally on the north or east side of Indy. Thanks a million. Molly PS. I am very bad about taking a daily vitamin, so I feel like this is something I certainly need to have checked out - maybe two times a week I remember a pill.

Molly, I've never taken vitamins until I had this surgery. I now take Viactive Calcium and Viactive Multi Vitamins. They are both a chocolate almost like a caramel. It's like having a piece of candy when it's actually a vitamin. It helps me to take them every day. They come in different flavors too. Floyd

Molly, Welcome back! Five years post-op! Wow! Fantastic!! I'd like to 2nd what Floyd said and invite you to come to the clothing exchange tomorrow. Being 5 yrs post-op, you probably don't have many clothes to bring and that is fine. I don't either. We also have a carry-in so there will be healthy foods to try out. I have been told repeatedly that the secret to weight loss is PEW: Protein, Exercise, Water. To lose that pesky 20 lbs, increase one or more of them. I'm still trying to lose those last few pounds myself. Vitamins...VERY, VERY important. Cannot stress that enough. The recommended amounts now are 3 multi-vitamins (Flintstone's or equivalent), 3 calcium citrite (ie Citrical), 1 B12 sublingual once or twice a week, 1-B6 once a week. Take the calcium a minimum of 4 hours from when you do the vitamins so they don't counter each other. Vitamin shortages can cause some pretty serious health issues so I hope you get started back taking these very soon. I'm fine on my structured weekdays but I'm terrible on the weekends myself. I hope someone will offer suggestions for doctors. I know when we were on MPlan, and through Community East, the choices were very limited. I think I went through about every pcp there...and didn't like any of them. We're on Anthem now and can go about anywhere so mine's up at St. V's. Sherri ps...Floyd...check your Viactiv Calcium...I think they are Calcium carbonate. It has been found that the carbonate form doesn't absorb in our bodies correctly and the citrite form does so the surgeons & nuts have switched and started recommendng Citrical chewables instead. Personally, I think the Viactiv taste better than Citrical, but will do what I gotta do. they have 4 flavors...chocolate, mint, lemon, carmel...I like the chocolate best.

Thanks Sherri. I'll take a look at it. I think my body is absorbing them fine tho since my blood work last month was great. Never know tho. I've tried the carmel, but like chocolate the best. See you tomorrow. Floyd

Hi Floyd, Your calcium can LOOK fine even when you are not fine. This is because if there is a shortage it is being leeched from your bones and into your blood stream to make up the difference. Therefore, your bloodwork may look perfect, but you might be getting holes in your bones. It's very difficult to rebuild bone, so you might want to check this out with your doc. Calcium carbonate is a bad calcium for WLSers and their low acid stomach pouches/short guts. Citrate is more expensive, but much much better absorbed.... Just lookin out for ya. Ken

Thanks Ken. I won't see doctor until April so I may email him to see what he thinks. I'm still seeing my Ohio doctor. Sorry you couldn't make the clothing exchange, but I understand. Good luck on Thursday. We'll be thinking of you and look forward to your return. Floyd

Thanks Sherri- I have to remember the basics and it was so long ago... I drink a lot of pop, while it is diet still it's pop and no****er. My other alternative is tea and yes decaf but still not jus****er... As a matter of fact... Ouch I can't remember the last time I had just a bottle of water or glass of water other than the dixie cup ful I take my meds in the a.m. with. I knew stopping in here would give me a reminder of what it is I am failing to do. I did buy myself a treadmil for Christmas so I can get back to the exercise since it too has gone away. I was at one time exercising 4 times a week then that went to 3 then 2 then well.... the only running I did was of kids to sporting events so it too is gone... I am going for a consult for a tummy tuck in April with the procedure in July as it is now, and I would like to have this gone before then cause lucky me the gain has all been in my lower belly area.... Thanks again for your suggestions.. And if anyone knows a good family doctor that is bariatric surgery friendly I would love to know who that is... Thanks Molly

I also have M-Plan and my PCP is J. Lee Farr with MMG at 56th & Keystone. He is a wonderful doc, but you will have to check to see if he is taking new patients. Even though I moved to Danville, I still drive to the NE side to see Dr Farr. Best of luck. Finding a good PCP is almost as hard as finding a mate. Annette

Hi Molly, Welcome back! You said eastside- well i don't know if this is too far east, but Sam and I both on here go to NEW PALESTINE FAMILY PRACTICE, we both also see Dr. Charpentier, however their are other docs in there, I followed her to there because I love her so much, she definately is wls friendly, she suggested it! The office is just passed the warren Little League ball diamond on Brookville Rd., there # is 861-4171. I hope this helps! Hopefully you can come to the exchange and meet us tomorrow, it will be nice to meet ya! Other than 2 family members, I don't know anyone this far out, so you would have a lot of inspiration to share for us newer in our journeys! Hugz Dawn

Thanks Dawn - I certainly do know where the Warren Ball Diamonds are... Will spend most of my time there... lol I will have to see if in fact Dr. Charpentier is in our group, we are pare of Methodist Medical Group but will definitely look into it. I need to get blood work done just to see where I am at. I did start today with vitamins... I had forgotten I have some Gummy Vites in the cabinent so started on those and water.... limiting my soda pop intake to only 2 cans a day.... the rest will be water or tea and setting up the treadmill tonight and gonna walk at least 30 minutes on it if nothing else... THanks so much all! Molly