Veterans: At what point do we quit worrying about vitamin supplements?

When I just had surgery and meals were basically what I could get in a shot glass, I worried about supplements. Now I eat a small plate of food and a wide variety of veggies and usually stick to a small amount of berries for fruit. I don't do bread or grains. I have been reading a number of articles which suggest that supplements just are not necessary if you are eating a balanced diet. What do you think, three years out, is it time to just get a regular multi-vitamin and forget about the rest of it?

I thought this too. I am 7 years post op basically eating recommended portion size, making healthier food choices and started to slack with vitamins only taking 2 multi-vit. Well as I recently found out, malabsorption is for life. I had my blood work done because I have been dragging, foggy brain and tired, brushed it off as age and stress well I am below low normal on everything. Numbers that I can remember are Vit D is at 9.4, Ferritin is at 6, B12 is 244. So I have went back to B12 injections, 2 Mutli-vit a day, referral to Hemotologist to look into IV iron infusion and they gave me prescription Vit D but now I realize I need something different. Please do not stop your vitamins. I have a friend that is 11 years post op she is still taking all her vitamins. I have learned my lesson.

Luckily, okiepirate and the rest of us VSGers don't have to worry about malabsorption issues.

Interesting point, okiepirate. And since you're VSG and not RNY, you don't have the malabsorption issue to worry about. I know I'm not even close to maintenance yet, but it would seem the only way to know for sure would to take what you think you need, and do your blood tests like every 6 months and see what your levels are at, then you can adjust accordingly.

Although I will add that my surgeon told me I had to take mine forever. That seemed pretty clear cut to me, so I have no intention of stopping.

Never... well... you don't have to "worry" you just have to take them.

The articles I think you are referring to are based on "typical" anatomy... those that eat a balanced, varied diet shouldn't need to supplement... this is A.) not a weight loss surgery patient anatomy, especially those of us that have a procedure that has a malabsorptive component and B.) Sadly, many with "typical American diets" that are usually lacking in many key nutrients.

Never. When you commit to WLS, any of them, you commit to vitamin supplementation for life.

One of our topics at a recent support group was about vitamins. Some recent studies have shown we all need them post WLS, even those who had VSG and lap band.

What do your labs show? I guess if they are good you could skip them, but I would not risk it. I say take the multivitamin at least.

If you ate a "balanced" diet you would probably start to regain.

You don't need to worry about vitamin supplements at all but you do need to take them forever.