A Few Questions - Soon to have my DS on June 2

I keep reading all the messages I can, so I can learn as much as possible about what I need to focus on and how I need to eat, what kind of vitamins and supplements I need to take, etc.

I have a few questions, just for clarification.

1. What is a protein coffee? Double protein coffee? And how do you make them?I am not supposed to have caffeine, so can they be made with decaf?

2. What and where do I buy the vitamins and supplements I need for the first month after surgery?
I looked on Vitalady but couldn't find an actual package of them made for the first month.

3. Where can I get information that is in simple terms that will help me learn what to take and when and which vitamins to not take together?

I appreciate any input that I can get here.

Thanks,
Carla

Welcome aboard. :)

I make my protein coffee with reduced cafeine coffee so decafe is absolutely doable.
Here's my protein directions:

1 - 20 oz shaker cup with wire ball
4 to 6 oz of 1/2 & 1/2, water, or milk
1 to 1 1/2 scoops of IDS Vanilla-Cinnamon protein powder
{shake} until blended
Pour into large mug 
Add 9 to 10 oz of hot brewed coffee (decaf or reduced caffeine)
{stir}

Add hot liquid to cold liquid to avoid lumps. Keep the protein slurry below 160 degrees.
 

Link to the DS starter plan on VL's site. It's the one that says DRNY/ERNY/BPD and DS:
vitalady.com/vitanews/starter-packages/

I've got her schedule on my profile. I'll send you a friend request so you can see it.

--gina

 

Some physician's offices have the vitamins and suppliments at their offices.  With my surgeon they have "Celebrate" vitamins and minerals right there so I don't have to search for them.  VitaLady is fantastic, and her prices are competitive.  But her starter packs are a bit expensive for me (right now).  You can also find dry ADEK on Amazon or even eBay.  I know that there are lots of alternatives as to where you can go to get your vitamins and supplements.

As for how much to take and when, I am honestly waiting until my initial bloodwork to let me know what direction my body is headed.  So far (4 weeks post operative) I am taking a chewable multi vitamin, iron w/Vit C, sublingual B12 (I was low pre surgical) and my Lisinopril (BP med).  That is it.   I will have blood work done relatively soon, so I'll see what is going on and be able to adjust my vitamins accordingly.

Gina is a wonderful wealth of information, if you have any questions ASK away! 

Thank you for the response. I'll check it out.
Carla

You are cruisin' for a bruisin' with a vitamin regimine like that.  Since you posted that you should post your complete lab results when you get them so folks can see for themselves what happens when you don't supplement appropriately with the DS.

Most people have enough stores of most vites to look "okay" at 4 weeks post op but not long after that their levels are going to crash.  So if you wait very long after your 4 week labs you are really going to be digging yourself out of a deep hole.

I'm not a fan of VitaLady's prepackaged vitamin program but I have done her schedule and tweaked it based on my labs since my horrible 3 month labs when I was an idiot and decided that my surgeon's plan was sufficient.  (not).

~Becky

 I buy most of my vitamins from vitacost.com, and the few I can't get there I buy on Amazon. If I remember right, the basic "starter" routine my doctor had me on consisted of dry A, D, E and K, a multi, calcium citrate, magnesium, and iron. Take the iron two hours apart from the rest of it. Take the iron with OJ or with a vit C to aide absorption. 

I now take much more than that, due to calcium bone loss issues, but that is a good batch to start with until you get your first labs and start tweaking. I'm posting links to what I buy for all of those listed (I went through a few brands along the way until I found these ones that dissolve quickly, absorb well, don't cause me any digestive issues, and keep my numbers up!).

Good luck!

http://www.vitacost.com/twinlab-allergy-a-and-d 
http://www.vitacost.com/twinlab-super-e-caps-plus-selenium-1 00-capsules 
http://www.vitacost.com/country-life-vitamin-k-1 
http://www.vitacost.com/twinlab-daily-one-caps-without-iron- 180-capsules-1 
http://www.vitacost.com/kal-cal-citrate-plus 
http://www.vitacost.com/country-life-chelated-magnesium-250- mg-180-tablets 
http://www.vitacost.com/twinlab-iron-caps 
http://www.vitacost.com/twinlab-c-plus-citrus-bioflavonoid-c aps 

I'm surprised your surgeon hasn't given you a list of what you need or a sample schedule. My place even gave me samples of multis, calcium, iron and protein. I just thought every place did that kind of thing. Oh, I sound so annoying...Sorry.

Thank you all for the responses and the information.
I have accumulated a very thick folder full of info from all my research on all these sites.
I am so happy that everyone is so willing to help eachother.
Thank you!!!!!

I, too, have been looking into this: I have a bunch of vitamins from dry ADEKs (amazon.com) to the Celebrate brand etc etc.  You should get a sample menu for the first couple weeks post-op.  My op is coming up soon so I can keep you posted about what I learn.

 The problem with the ADEK combo's is that they're not in the right combination for a DS'er.  Your labs and levels will vary from person to person, and taking a combo vitamin like that will not let you individually adjut levels.  

For example, you might find that your A is too high, and your D is too low - so what do you do?  You cant take an ADEK to raise your D, because your A is already too high. 

That's why most people recommend taking individual supplements.  You will have to monitor your labs and tweak what you take accordingly.  Aim to be in the "high" side of normal for each value.  Labs might not tank in one month, three months, or even a year...but they can and do in time and you have to stay on top of this.