Pre-op newbie with question about vites

Hi Everyone,

I'm Dawn. My husband and I are just beginning the process of qualifying for the DS. We both have 5 more months of nutritional counseling to go, along with a few other requirements. I have met my surgeon, Dr. Salameh (Virginia Hospital Center). My initial plan was to have the BG however, Dr. Salameh told me about the DS, pro's and con's and, told to research which surgery I thought would work best for me(he recommended the DS). The DS was a no-brainer after I did my sue diligence.

My husband opted to stay with the GB until I sat him down and shared the long-term benefits of the DS vs GB. I have high blood pressure, he has high blood pressure, cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. With DSFACTS.com and you fabulous folks have helped me to change his mind.

I now have a question for the experts, about vitamins. I currently take zero vites (hubby takes loads of vites), should I start now or wait until pre-op labs are ordered?

Thanks!

Hi,

I ended up taking vitamins before surgery but it was after my pre op blood tests showed I was a bit low in some things its much easier to bring your lower levels up before surgery rather then afterwards. I wish you both the best of luck with your surgeries!

Trish

Thank you Trish, 

I was thinking along the same lines, it's better to work on my levels now, even though I have months to go.  

Dawn

I have no answers, since I had the sleeve, but I did have Dr. Salameh and I just wanted to let you know that I've been super happy with the whole experience pre and post-op.  I hope you are as well!  

Hi GwenMo, 

It's nice to here some positive feedback about my surgeon. I greatly appreciate it, calms my nerves a bit about the surgery. 

Thank you, 

Dawn

Welcome!  I'm in Northern VA and see the dietitian in Dr Elariny's practice. She is a supporter of Vitalady's vitamin plan for DSrs since you take the vitamins individually and use your labs to help you adjust where needed. I'm not familiar with your surgeon but some practices advice all-in one, one-size-fits-all vitamins which isn't so good.  Surgeons are good cutters but know very little about over-the-counter vitamins.

Check out www.vitalady.com for her prepackaged plans. I also have her plan laid out if you want to choose the optional capsules and chewables she offers. 

--gina

Hi Major Mom, 

I have visited the Vitalady's website, I will be getting my vites from her. 

Thank you, 

Dawn 

The DS regimen is too much for you right now, but Vitalady's kit is a great start, then to save money you can start to piece a customized regimen together based on your labs.  It wouldn't be surprising if you and hubs tweeked your vitamins differently over time.

For now, though, you would definitely benefit from at least a good multi with some extra calcium and D to get you in the best nutritional shape possible.  I would hope your nutritionist would take a nutritional panel on you now so you know what you can start right away.

Thanks Valerie, 

Very helpful information. I will ask my nutritionist to run a nutritional panel to see where I am. In the meantime, I'm going to start with a multi-vitamin strong in calcium and D.

Dawn

For vitamins -- it can't hurt.

I am still pre-ds but I have started playing with protein powders and I am very happy I did.  Between sources (milk, soy, egg, pea, beef, etc) and types (concentrate, isolate or pre-digested) and brands and flavors there are thousands upon thousands of them.  I've heard people say that your tastes will change after the surgery, so don't purchase 100 lbs, but just learning all the different variables has been enlightening. 

There are a couple of places that sell sample kits (vitalady is one of them) and I plan to have a bunch of different types available. 

Good luck!