Hello!

Welcome to the Indiana board Becky, we are glad to have ya. 

Jeannie

thanks for all the vitamin suggestions, i was just mentioning that i was scared of hair loss!  In the course of journey here - i found out that i am vit D deficient (probably that pale skin, eh?), so i've been on 2 calcium citrates w/ D for 6 months, and she added another 1000 vit D daily about 5 months ago... so, now i'll need to do some checking around about B12, B12, Biotin, etc!  I've got my post op binder (aka "bible", and i've been reading it faithfully).  i do remember the vitamin regime was extensive.  Luckily, i meet with my dietician again next week to ask questions and go over post op diet.

isn't it strange what happens to the taste buds???  crazy!

Hi Becky, I had my RNY a month ago and while it isn't easy, I wouldn't change a thing.  I am 36 lbs down and loving it.  Welcome to the Bari Family!
Virgene Cline

36 lbs - that's awesome!  Thanks for the welcome wishes!

Hi Becky!

Welcome to the board!  I just had my surgery a week ago and OH is a priceless resource!  Not only will you make many connections and friends on here, but there is so much information that you can't find out any where else. 

Blessings on your journey,

Allissa

Thanks Allissa, and good luck to you on your recovery, health, and WLl!!!!  I can't wait to be looking at the surgery from where you are instead of where i am!

Welcome Becky.  I am also Vitamin D deficient.  I'm checking to see if you made a typo or not.  Did your doc add just 1000 of Vit D or 10,000?  That doesn't seem like very much. 

Also, you should be taking Vit D3...dry!  My doctors didn't know this.  We have to educate our doctors about our bariatric needs.   Especially don't take oil based after surgery.  Vitamin D3 is absorbed immediately and is superior to D2.  The oil based one's can't be processed in our bodies because we malabsorb.  That includes oil based fish oil too. 

I take 50,000 IU of Vit D3 3X a week, plus the Vit D I get in my multi-vitamin and my calcium suppliment.   

To some of you this may seem excessive but I have hyperparathyroidism which sucks calcium out of your bones & effects your Vit D levels.  I didn't have this before my WLS.  I also have osteoporosis and am post-menopausal and lactose intolerant.

Your taste buds will change over and over after your WLS so don't buy a bunch of stuff now.  I also became lactose intolerant  after WLS, which is not uncommon, so if you buy lots of protein supps now that require milk, you will not be able to use them.

I would suggest reading Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink.  It is recommended by a psychologist at the bariatric center.  Also Eat It Up by Connie Stapleton.  She speaks at lots of OH conventions and she is fantastic. 

Good luck.

She added another 1,000.... but i had to get tested again today to see if that is high enough with my multi and calcium cit w/D.  I have D3 now, and it is tablet form (they are tiny.... but i assume i will need another format post op).  Is that what you mean by dry?  So, are fish oil and omega supplements out of the question after surgury?  I meet with the nutritionist and the bariatric center dr on thursday, i will also follow up with them.

I'll check out the books, thank you for the recommendations.  I rec'd one of the books i ordered today, and have 2 more on the way.

Hi and Welcome.  I am still a work in progress so far as the surgery goes.  I am scheduled for 01/06/2010 and am so ready.  I love to get on here and read the different things people ask.  So many are my own questions.  Everyone is super, so helpful and nice.
I went to my Pre Op class yesterday and met more wonderful people.   My weight and poor health is bad, but the bonus of all this process is the great people you get to meet.   Best to ya on your journey. 

Thanks for the well wishes, and i hope to schedule my own surgery around that time.  I have a preop nutrition class on thursday!  We'll be on "the journey" together!!!!