Nutrition, articles, and such for post WLS pregnancies

A post yesterday made me think.. and it made me remember for when I was newly pregnant and had no idea where to turn for information.. 

Well, I've got the wlsvitagarten site -- so I've created a new post section for Pregnancy after WLS to post articles and nutrition things I find, etc.

Here's the link if you're interested -- there's not much there right now -- just two articles, but I'll keep adding to it as I find things.


If you look from the main site (which, hey, is linked from my siggy), there's a link on the right now.

Hope this helps someone out.  Any requests I'll write down and work on as I get time.

Hey Andrea, You look GREAT first off!

Secondly, I always thought that the Vitamin Queen needed a website. I'm glad you have one. About that, is there a section in there regarding what particular vitamin needs a pregnant WLS-er has or is it just so varied that there aren't guidelines? Cuz like for example they recommend 1mg. of Folic Acid for a regular pregnant woman, X amount of iron, X amount of this etc. Just wondered if in your research you had come across any guidelines specific for the pregnant WLS-er. I know the guidelines would have to differ quite a bit because even within that classification you have GBS, band, DS, etc.

I was just curious if you had come across anything specific. Wouldn't it be great if that info was available? I hope you have something. I like your site!

Of course, labs are going to be a key indicator of what someone should take -- but looking at ASMBS guidelines for all surigical patients are a good place to start, and would be ideal for someone to give to their OB (especially if they 1) aren't still seeing their surgeon / nut and 2) if their OB hasn't ever had a WLS patient before).

I just started the category yesterday, so it will be filled in slowly, but I'll start putting in lab recommendations and such (as well as WHY -- it's always a good reason WHY) but there are many things that are the same as a regular postop as well.

Thanx for the information..

I came on OH just to send you a PM.  :-)  I wanted to know what you think of this vitamin?
http://www.newchapter.com/products/every-woman  Or your thoughts on cultured whole food vitamins.

First off, I'm not keen on things that aren't USP.  There's a reason we like USP -- it's a good standard.

But beyond that:

1) Vitamin A as beta-carotene in adults is silly.  As we age, we don't metabolize beta carotene.  Period.  Well, we do, in a VERY minor degree.  As children, we do, like 17 units of BC to make 1 unit of retinol, but adults litterally takes hundreds of units of BC to make 1 unit of retinol.  Considering we need vitamin A so critically for eyesight -- AND we malabsorb our vitamins to boot..  not a good choice for us.  I know why they are using it -- they want to be organic, and beta-carotene comes from fruits and veggies -- but it's simply not very bio-available in adults.  It's a sad truth.

2) They don't list their sourcing for many of the other micronutrients -- is it D2 or D3 (ergo or cholecalciferol)?  Are they using chelates or actual minerals?  K1, K2, or K3?   It bugs me when companies don't list this sort of thing.  It DOES make a difference -- especially for us when certain things absorb so slowly and in different parts of the body that may be bypassed.

3) Some things are very low -- you'd have to supplement with additional things to get a minimum of them.  And considering you need 3 of these to get just one dose, to get the 200% that ASMBS recommends for most things, that's 6 tablets a day.  I'm guessing these are not cheap (I didn't look).


So for me?  I wouldn't buy them.

I knew there was a reason I wasn't jumping to buy them and why I asked you.  One of my co-workers swears by them, and I got a book on bacterial vaginosis that highly recommends them.  I will stick with my current vitamins.  Thanks :-)