"But my surgeon said to take a couple of Flintstones vitamins and I'll be okay!"

Basically, you need something that provides 200% of the recommended daily allowance of most vitamins and minerals.  Flintstones falls short there.  Centrum makes an adult chewable vitamin that comes pretty close.  It's short on biotin and doesn't contain any selenium, so I don't really recommend it.  But it's a lot better than Flintstones.

I think your best bet is to buy a good bariatric vitamin like Bariatric Advantage or Celebrate.  I think some stores might actually carry BA, but you might have to order them online.  Celebrate you must order online.

Kelly

Or email me tomorrow when you have less of a headache.

I understand pain.

 Thanks a lot.  I will definitely look into all this.  I believe I can have both of those shipped to Canada, but hopefully I can find something local.  :0)

Just don't feel you have to buy the stuff from Bariatric Advantage - most all of these places sell the same type of stuff - compre the ingredients, etc.

Reminds me when I forced at a brewery - The cheap stuff went into a single color can, the moderately expensive in a two color can, and the most expensive in a fancy 4 color can====
==

BUYER BEWARE - all the cans were filled from the same machine with the same beer.

Thanks for the post MM.  When I had surgery there was no aftercare and certainly not any mention of vitamins.  I was only told about protein.  Considering that was almost 9 years ago, I would think that would speak to the fact that the entire field is still in it's babyhood.  Perhaps the Flintstones things were started because they were the easiest chewable to find back when they first started suggesting that we need vitamins.  The surgeons job is to cut on us and the programs offered are as varied as the rainbow and most bariatric programs sort of hoard any info or processes they use because I believe they are being secretive because no one is really 100 percent sure what's really right.  Considering how hard this journey is I'm not sure why anyone would even want to take a chance at not doing the best.  We will continue to have Flintstone followers and I think some of them still fight for it because they did in the beginning and don't want to give up their stance. Some will continue to do it the hard way so all you can do is provide the info.  I have had 2 very close people to me have some pretty serious complications because of getting too lax on their vitamin regimen,  I don't understand why anyone would want to take a chance but then I don't understand a lot of things.
Keep up the great work.
hugs, Y

I am only one week post-op but was reading this thread this afternoon and ironicly, my surgeon called me around 4 telling me they got my pre-op labs in and I already have a vitamin D and zinc deficiency and they are mailing me prescriptions.  Nice to know my surgeon is on top of this!

You should be aware that prescription vitamin D is D2, and we don't absorb that well at all.  We need D3, but it's not available by prescription.  You just get it over the counter.  The prescription D2 will not improve your labs.

Kelly

First of all, let me say that I am not a top rated Dr or anything close.. What I am is one of two friends that Yvonne mentioned that had serious complications.. In fact, I died indirectly from not taking my vitamins.. Debra and I had been yachting with some friends and as I was emptying the cooler I fainted and fell into the marina where I drowned.. I had to be brought back to life and after four days in the hospital the doctor finally listened to me and tested all my vitamins.. All my levels were way below where they were supposed to be..  I was faithful about taking my vitamins, for the first two years after the surgery, but then I started thinking that I was feeling great so why take them?  Well, since my best friend had to watch me die for the second time in two years I realized it wasn't worth it..  I have to give myself B12 shots for the rest of my life so please take your vitamins..

And on another rant.. Please have a medic alert bracelet on you.. I had a card, in my wallet, stating I had had the RNY but it did me no good at the bottom of the ocean..  Luckily Debra was with me and advised the EMT's that I had had RNY and could not be tubed or take various drugs.. This is very important because I couldn't talk and tell them..  Also please educate your spouse, friend or partner what can and can't be done with your surgery..

Please take your vitamins..

Dude, that's karma.

You are a lucky man.

Luck has nothing to do with it..

I am very blessed man..