supplements after WLS?

i understand due to malabsorption you need to take supplements after WLS. is that true of both RNY and VSG? i know the latter doesn't use malabsorption as a mechanism to lose weight, but do you take supplements as an insurance policy, so to speak?

after RNY what kind of supplements do you take - is there a special brand or formula that you must buy?

how many pills does it end up being with your multi, calcium supplements, iron, etc?

do you take liquid or chewable vitamins at first?

with the rny i take about 10-12 pills aday.heres what i take on a daily basis

iron& chewable vit c @6am

Calcium,biotin,multi vit,sublingial b12,stool softner, @10 am

iron,vit c at 5pm

iron and vit c 10 pm.

for alot of these i am just using ones i purchased from walmart.

i have purchased some bariatric vitamins from the states and get them shipped to pembina.

i probably will be doing that once i run out of these ones i am currently using.

i also take my regular medications too

hope this helps

sondra

Here is the general list given to everyone in the information package. (Daily dose)

1 Prenatal - make sure it contains 400mcg or .4 mg folic acid as well as selenium and zinc.  You can't get these chewable but I found a brand of multi vitamin at Walmart that meets these needs in a chewable. It's called Quest.

1000u-2000u Vitamin D - I found chewable at Walmart and liquid drops at Popeyes.

1200 - 1500 mg. Calcium Citrate (preferred) or calcium carbonate - take 500 mg 3 x a day. Walmart sells chewable brand called Jamieson. The chocolate flavour tastes like Tootsie Roll. Calcium is best taken with food for better absorbtion.

25-40mg Iron-Ferrous Gluconate - don't take with calcium (2 hours apart). You always have to ask for iron at the pharmacy counter.  Ask for liquid for adults. Walmart.

500-1000mcg Vitamin B12 - dissolvable strips. Walmart.

After getting a blood test 3 months after surgery, these levels may be adjusted.

Also, the information says to make sure the packages have a Drug Identification number (DIN) or one with Homeopathic medicine (DIN-HM) or Natural Product Number (NPN). It's in very small print on the label. These mean its been approved by Health Canada.

Besides the suppliments you will need to take 60-80 grams of protein daily. Whey powder isolate is recommended.  It's hard to find the unflavoured kind but I did find some at Popeyes called BioX Extreme Power Whey isolate, natural flavour.  It's best because you can add it to broth, veggie juice, etc and you don't have the vanilla or chocolate taste.  I also have a vanilla one to add to yogurt, apple sauce, cream of wheat, etc.

Good luck!