Vitamins

As I  await an upcomming surgery date, I would like to start on some vitamins( since I do not take any now), any suggestions?  Also what vitamins does everyone take now? Thanks Shara

It seems ages ago I too was just starting my journey.  I started to take prenatal vitamins from Walmart.  One a day.  I also took 5000mcg. of Bioton to ward off hair loss.   I also at night too an extra vitamin C.  When I got closer to surgery date, maybe just three weeks ago, I started taking a sublingual Vit B12.  I know this is very important for so many reasons.  I wanted good levels going into surgery.  Back in February I started taking my protein shakes.  I would do one every coupl days then a couple a week then more to the point of almost one a day.  This is how I lost the 30lbs before surgery.       Good luck on your journey and just think of the new you!   Lori L

Hi Shara I take Optisource Vitamins. They are specially formulated for Bariatric patients. Plus I take 1200 MG Of Calcium Citrate everyday. If you have a nutritionist, always get that type of advice from her or your surgeon. They will know what is best for you by your blood work.

I love the chewables from Juice Plus... http://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/pages/Home.soa?site=mw05774   I loved them so much my whole family is on them and I am now selling them, lol

Shara: You will probably hear MANY different responses because each bariatric program has diferent guidelines, as well vit/minerals postop are individual based on a persons response to surgery and their pre-existing needs as well. This is why followup and labs are crucial... Most need at least a centrum type complete multivitamin, Calcium in the form of citrate for Rnyers to best absorb amount depeneds on labs/dexascan/comorbid conditios, and Subligual B12. With that said some need more suppliments like; VIT A, D, E, K, ZINC, SELENIUM, COPPER, IRON *USUALLY FEROUS GLUCONATE OR FERROUS FUMARATE OR POLYSACCHARIDE IRON, IRON CHELTE OR CARBONYL IRON, KEEP FROM FERROUS SULFATE IT CAN BE MOST HARSH ON POUCH AND NOT AS READILY ABSORBED. (oops sorry cap loc****xtra magnesium, thiamin (B1), B6, folate, potassium etc. Preop have your levels ben drawn? They are finding many Morbidly obese deficient preop now interestingly in things like Vit D especilly. IMHO FWIW there is no need to buy expensive vitamins UNLESS You find you do not absorb others, there is no 'bariatric vitamin' there can not be because we all respond differently to a bypass, yes we know certain typical deficiencies happen but our labs all differe slightly to greatly, so no manufacturer can formulate one for all patients, so save the cash do your on research on what works best for your body and pocketbook! Beware of gimmicks or provders pushing a product for they MAY be getting financial incentives to do so also.... Starting a multivit isn't a bad idea now preop, be aware lso too muc suppliments of certain thigs is as bad or worse than too little, things like iron vit A especially. Other things u can not OD on like B12 as it is water soluable and no no toxic effects of too much is known...risk is only wasting money! Here is what I take: Walmart brand multivit centrum like 300 tabs are less than $9 Upcal D 500mg Caclium citrate powder w/ vit D in 1 scoop 227 servngs I just found it for $13.99 HERE http://www.colonialmedical.com/product.php?productid=20018&c at=0&page=1 I use 2 doses a da of this and 2 doses a day of Citrical (calcium citrate) one bottle 180 tabs (2 tabs dse=500mg) is about $9 ***Walmart has a generic now as well, cacliumis one of the more expencie suppliments. UpclD is far the most inexp caclium citrate I found! nice fine powder mixesin anything! I need 2,000mg caclium a day due to my labs (calcium/parathyroid/dexascan) even thought I am 34 and exercise daily and have no other issues I lost bone denisty on less, gained 3% last yr! Springvalley B12 complex sublingual 60 doses of B12 1,200mcg is $6 walmart I do one dose day bottle lasts 2 mo I became anemic after plastic surgery 2 yrs out wls, I ned ferrous glucoate 300mg tab (is 35mg elemental iron) 100 tabs is $6 I get at walmart n pharmacy w/o script I take vit C 500mg w/it bottle 500 is cheap I can not recall like 45-6 or so..lasts a year! Yearly total would be $10 or so for multivit $36 for upcal d using 2 doses day I need 3 bottles year +/- $72 for citrical I need 4 tabs day or 8 bottles a yr of the 180 count at $9/bottle $36 for b12 I need 6 bottles a year $20 for iron I need just over 3 bottles $5 for vit c I need 1 bottle ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ $179/yr for MY NEEDS I absorb these vits per lab....May not be for everyone, would a more expensive vit work? perhaps but I can not see why I'd go there. Luckily there are many choices and we can each make one for ourselves, this is regimen I have used so far at 5 yrs out, works for me, what works for others they can tell you about..... Be well. Hugs