Please read this everyone its important.

This was posted on the lightweight board. I can get you all the link if you ever want to check it out nice supportive people like this one. This is important all please read through it Post Date: 4/8/08 10:10 pm VITAMINS - FOR LIFE!!! Does everyone hear this???? VITAMINS FOR LIFE!!! I work in an Occupational Health Clinic but I have several patients who are WLSers (mostly RNY because that's what's available in our area). Anyway... I was doing a routine physical on one of these patients today - she's about 19 months post-op. She has been having some problems for a few months but has been afraid to see the surgeon because she hasn't taken ANY vitamins for about 9 months (and prior to that it wa**** and miss) and doesn't want to get lectured. She's been getting tingling and weakness in her hands and feet and she can't concentrate. She bursts into tears for no reason at all (which she did during the exam) and it seems to be getting worse. So... as I'm doing her exam - she starts to get slurred speech and her neurological status starts to deteriorate quickly - can't remember where she is or what year it is. I call 911 and they whisk her off to the ER. I thought she was having a stroke! The diagnosis - SEVERE MALNUTRITION AND B1 DEFICIENCY! She will be hospitalized for quite a while to TRY to correct this problem, but I don't know if she will ever be the same. THIS CAN BE AVOIDED IF YOU TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!!!!! YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS! You could have the most balanced diet on earth, but you still can't absorb the vits that you need from your food so supplementation is necessary for life - I don't care how good your 3, 6, or 12 month labs look...if you stop taking the vits - you WILL develop deficiencies and you may suffer potentially irreversible complications - including death. OK - I'll grudgingly step down off my soap box now. But have I made my point????!!!

Your point is well taken here Kathy.  I personally know someone with severe damage from prolonged vitamin B deficencies.  Her mental functioning is markedly decreased and will remain impaired whether she keeps her vitamin levels u*****t...the damage is permanent.  She also suffere from chronic pain in her legs, back and knees.  She is living on pain-killers now...it is a life I would not wish anyone. Thanks for letting everyone know! :) Sheli ps...check out http://www.bbvitamins.com/physicians_Articles_3.aspx for more on B deficencies and WLS

I have read up on WLS for a long time now and I always see great importance placed on vitamins.  After surgery the nutitionist said to stick with the multi and that was all I needed (then iron after my 2 week appointment).  I asked about calcium, but she said to wait to see if I needed it.  This is the one time I did not take her advice.  I started a baruiatric advantage calcioum citrate anyways.  First of all calcium is usually recommended as a regular supplement for everyone anyways (even without WLS). They do make sublingual B12 vitamins, but I haven't taken any.  I might order some next time I order.  My 2 month appointment is next Thursday so I will see how my labs look. I make sure I do my vitamins every single day.

Thank you kathy we all needed to hear that. as I said before my last Labs showed def in vit D and I am taking prescription strength and have to have it closely watched. Vitamins we need for different reason's and with out them they can do serious things!!!

Wow, that is eye opening. I have been taking a multivitamin every day since my surgery but still have iron issues. For the past month I have had very severe sores at the corners of my mouth and at first I thought it was dehydration but my lips weren't peeling or anything. Anyways, I know this isn't an excuse but I haven't had time to go to the doctors so I was doing research online and discovered it could be a sign of B2 deficiency. I finally went to GNC and bought some B2 figuring what could it hurt and after just one before bed I woke up and the sores were already starting to heal. Keep in mind I have had these for over a month now and they just kept getting worse. They are not by any means all gone but are on their way. Anyways I guess the moral of the story is to keep an eye on yourself and read the symptoms, don't let things get too bad and always take your vitamins!

Kathy, Thank you for sharing this. We all need to always remember to take our vitamins. I keep mine in a blue day of the week, pill container right here on my desk. Every Sunday I put all my vitamins into it and then everyone morning I take them, except my calcium (I do that one in the evening). This helps me remember to take them, with them right here infront of me. ~dori~

Thanks for the eye-opening info, Kathy.  I'm definitely going to make sure I keep taking those vitamins!!!  It's amazing what a deficiency can do to you!  WOW!  Ruth