The Counselor's post is a good reminder of the importance of keeping vigilant with the vitamin program or some pretty bad stuff can happen relatively quickly. Here's an example of a vitamin program recommended by the good folks at the U. of Pittsburgh. Just an example so your doc should have recommended something similar.

Vitamin's are our friend

It is important that you take vitamin supplements every day for the rest of your life after having a gastric bypass. The key vitamins that are necessary include vitamin B12, iron, and calcium. We recommend that you take a multivitamin, plus extra calcium, iron, and B12 supplements. This is because most multivitamins do not have sufficient calcium, iron, or B12, and because you will have decreased absorption of these substances after a gastric bypass. Start all vitamins within the first few weeks after surgery.

---

• Multivitamin/mineral supplement, twice daily with food.  Chewable supplements are necessary for the first two to three months after surgery because you cannot swallow large pills (bigger than an aspirin) and they are easier to digest and absorb.  Choose one of the following:
  • Flintstone’s Complete
  • Centrum Chewables

 

A few months after surgery, or when you feel you are able to swallow large pills (bigger than an aspirin), you may switch to non-chewable supplements if you would like to.  Choose one of the following:

• One-A-Day Maximum
• One-A-Day Today
• Centrum Performance
• Centrum with lycopene
• Centrum Carb Assist

 

• Calcium with vitamin D, twice daily with food for at least 1000mg per day.  Again, chewable supplements must be taken for the first two to three months after surgery because you cannot swallow large pills (bigger than an aspirin) and they are easier to digest and absorb.  Because calcium is such a large mineral, many patients prefer to stay on chewable calcium supplements because the non-chewables are just too big.  Choose one of the following:
  • Citracal Creamy Bites
  • Viactiv
  • Caltrate 600 Plus Chewables

 

Please remember not to take your calcium with your iron supplement as the two interfere with one another.  Calcium and iron should be taken at least two hours apart.

 

• Iron, once daily with food.  If you become constipated after surgery and believe your iron supplement is the cause, please call the office for suggestions on how to alleviate this problem.  Again, please remember not to take your calcium with your iron supplement as the two interfere with one another.  Calcium and iron should be taken at least two hours apart.  Choose one of the following:
  • GNC Iron 18
  • Ferro-Sequels
  • Fergon
  • Slow-Fe

 

 

• B12, choose one of the following:
  • Monthly B12 shots, at your PCP’s office or self-administered
  • 500mcg sublingual (under-the-tongue) B12 daily, which can be purchased at any drug store, GNC store, or Vitamin World.

 

It is important to take your B12 either sublingually (under-the-tongue) or by injection because you cannot digest or absorb B12 after having gastric bypass surgery.

 

Sample Vitamin Schedule

 

Breakfast:           Multivitamin/mineral supplement

                            Calcium w/ D

                            Sublingual B12

 

Lunch:                  Iron

 

Dinner:   Multivitamin/mineral supplement

                            Calcium w/ D

Thanks Boner. This one will go on my hard drive for future referral.  I wonder why it says take calcium with food. Anybody have any thoughts on that? I've been taking mine right before I go to bed.

Not sure JFish but I presume it has something to do with upsetting your stomach similar to iron. I've never heard that eating food along with taking calcium improves the absorbption. Dx would probably know.

JFish,

Calcium ‘piggy-backs’ on fat for absorption. Taking your Calcium supplement with food Is helpful if the food has a little fat in it, And if it has a little acid as well. Some Strawberries in yogurt makes a great transport for Calcium. *Post above… Best Wishes- Dx

 

I knew Dx would have the answer. Thanks, Dx.....you are a fountain of WLS facts.  Boner

Here's a decent TunaTown post on "Why post-WLS people stop taking vitamins." All I know is to stop taking vitamins cause "I feel good now" is playing with fire imo.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/a,messageboard/action ,replies/board_id,4856/cat_id,4456/topic_id,3600322/

 

Anyone know if Iron Sulfate is supposed to be better than the rest. Is the absorption or the decreased constipation?

Dave, Iron in the form of Ferrous Sulfate Is the Most Commonly used Iron Supplement, But not the one 'best absorbed' or the one that is easiet on the bowels... *post above... Although, when taken with ample Vitamin C? There's not that much difference between any of them.... Best Wishes- Dx