OOOOOOPPPSSS....

I forgot to ask one more concern I have.... Is anyone or has anyone started taking b12 supplements? If so, what dose and how often and when did you start? I have heard all kinds of bad things about waiting too long before starting it. Can it hurt you if you take it now? I am only 2 weeks post Op. Thanks again!! Shannon~

I take b-12 and it's highly recommended for all post ops. you can get shots once a month or you can take it orally. I get mine from GNC - It's about $20 for a box of 120 (4 month supply) and they're cherry flavoured. They go under your tongue (sublingual tablets). I started taking mine right when I got home from the hospital.

I started taking mine at 3 months out. Before that I was told we did not need it because we have a big supply built up. I take them once a week under the tongue. They arent really tastey but they arent too bad either. Congrats on your great weightloss, keep up the wonderful job. Theresa

Theresa-As I mentioned in the previous post, my nutritionist has upped the suggested dosage to twice a week. This was based on findings presented at the bariatric surgery conference which was in Boston last fall. Apparently there are lots of WLS patients who end up being deficient in b12. She is a really good nutritionist and works primarily with WLS patients, so I trust her (unless she is telling me not to snack lol). B12 deficiency is a pretty serious problem and it does not show up in the bloodwor****il very late in the process. I'm not saying this to demean the suggestions you are getting from your program just to let you know what the recent research is showing because I care. Lynda ME/FL

I started my b12 right away. There is absolutley no risk in starting too soon. If we ingest too much b12 we pee it out. BTW-my nutritionist has recently upped the suggested dose to twice weekly. They based this suggestion on the findings that were reported at the national bariatric conference which was held in Boston last fall. Good luck. Lynda ME/FL

I am almost two months out and noone has told me to take them?? Should I be getting some? Kell

I am 8 months post-op and my surgeon hasn't mentioned anything about taking B-12!! All he has me on is 2 Tums and 1 children's vitamen a day! Should I be worried?? I had an open VBG.

Hi Shannon, B12 is stored in your body for ten years according to my nutritionist so don't get too worried about it. Yes it can be a serious problem if your levels are low but your surgeon should be testing your levels in the future to let you know where you stand. Our program in Bangor doesn't have you start for a while post op, we are told to take 1000mcg sublingually once a week. I think there is such a difference in surgeons programs that with questions like this it might be better to ask your nutritionist or surgeon to get an answer that pertains to the program you have signed into. Goodluck, Casey

My dietician didn't start me on the B12 (I take sublingual****il about 5 1/2 months post op. I agree with Casey though as far as different programs having different requirements--if I were you I would check with your nutritionist on what they prefer. Good Luck on your journey! Jill