Vitamins are our friend gentlemen

Nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity often cannot be prevented by standard multivitamin supplementation. Christoph Gasteyger, Michel Suter, Rolf C Gaillard, and Vittorio Giusti

Standard Multivitamin Not Enough After Gastric Bypass A study just published in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the majority of gastric bypass patients cannot maintain their nutritional health on a basic multivitamin supplement.  The study followed 137 gastric bypass patients for two years.  By the end of year one, 59% of the participants required additional supplements and by the end of year two, this number had increased to 98%.  The most common additional supplements needed were B12, folic acid, calcium, iron and vitamin D.  Much less commonly, they identified deficiency of thiamine, zinc, magnesium and B6.  The authors concluded that basic multivitamins are not effective at preventing deficiency in gastric bypass, and typical supplementation to keep a gastric bypass patient health averages about $420.00/year when additional nutrients are accounted for.  They also encouraged further study and the use of routine post-operative labs to assess nutritional status. Source Title: Nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity often cannot be prevented by standard multivitamin supplementation Authors: Christoph Gasteyger, Michel Suter, Rolf C Gaillard and Vittorio Giusti Publication: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, No. 5, 1128-1133, May 2008

Thanks for posting this, Boner.  Interesting! CB

Ok me being a newb to the whole WLS...does anyone purchase or know a site that may sell a combo package of the necessary vitamins to take as opposed to just taking a multivitamin? -Rob

Rob, It is a hell of a lot easier than it sounds. There are many “Bariatric Needs Suppliers” out there who package Vitamins “Specifically for WLS-Post-Ops.” And they offer some good stuff. BariatricAdvantage VitaLady etc… But, they price them knowing that they are “Tailoring” to a specific clientele. Maybe order from them ONCE, and then look for the same stuff on your own. Get the recommendations for supplementation from your doc, And do a little label reading at a Pharmacy. You can get the same stuff at a Costco, Wal-Greens, GNC, VitaminShoppe, etc… At usually half the cost. My “Multi-Vit” for the last year has been “Fortify-Complete” a super Multi Distributed by Kroger. I caught them on sale. Twice! The B-1, B-50’s, Foliate, and Calcium Citrate w/D & Magnesium, I get at Wal-Greens. My B-12 is a once a month self-injection (insurance covers completely) For those things that you want to “get the best” and not pay an arm and a leg- Checkout http://www26.netrition.com/

They Rock for “specialty Nutrition Items.” So does- http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/index.jsp?_requestid=9 30578

In the long run, Make sure you get all your nutrition But read the labels, save some bucks And spend it on cooler clothes! Best Wishes- Dx

 

Hey Dx, I appreciate taking the time to provide me some great information!!  Like mentioned when the time comes I am may buy from one of those speciality sites ONCE, read the labels, educate myself and then see what vitmains I can get at Wal-mart and other stores as mentioned. Luckily for me....my best friend is who is a pharmacist is on the verge of opening his own store...CAN YOU SAY BUYING AT COST?!?!?!  ha ha  thanks again! -Rob

Good post. I attend a local support group in Wichita, Ks. In recent weeks we have had two post ops who were over 1 year that have be hospitalized due to problems with the supplements that they were either taking or not taking. I use the Vista vitamins that have been suggested by my NUT. They do cost a little bit, but they are cheaper that the meds I was taking so i am still ahead of the game. Thanks for the post.

I am certainly a few months away from surgery that is why I asked if anyone suggests a web site or a good vitamin pack that they purchase so I can research....plus I have no problems spending a little extre on quality vitamins....since I will not be using that $$ on beer and appetizers that got me to this point in the first place!! -Rob

New Dimensions has an e-stor where they sale kits. http://ndwlsestore.com/?pagename=DisplayProducts&category=Vi tamin%20Kits  Hope that helps.

Great Post, Boner! I thought this was common knowledge. My doc and nut told me of this from the beginning. All my vitamins are bought at Wal-Mart, they are affordable, and they work great. I take a multi, B-1, B-6, B-12, Potassium, B Complex, and Calcuim. So far, I haven't had a problem with low iron. All bloodwork is great. Ron

Same for me Ron. The doctors at Duke tell WLS patients to take a multi-vitamin, calcium citrate, and either sublingual B-12 or shots every six months. I have also been taking extra Potassium because of leg cramps and colace to keep me regular. I am two years out with no issues and perfect blood work so I'm not too worried about this study. You have to pay to get the full details of this study. The abstract of the study on their website is not very detailed so it is hard to understand if all they took was multi-vitamins and nothing else. Tim