Just woke up and this post actually reminded me to take my pills, so thanks!

For the first two months, I was horrible at taking my multivitamin and supplements. When I got my blood work done, I found out that I was anemic (my level was at 28) and deficient in Vitamins D and B1. The doctor prescribed three different pills and also let me know that I could get over the counter equivalents that were much cheaper.

Daily, I take Centrum Silver One-a-Day Multivitamin, Ferrex, Vitamin D and Vitamin B1. Since taking them, I have noticed a huge increase in my energy and less nausea.

If you're taking the huge step to have surgeyr, take another huge step and start setting money aside for the multivitamins and supplements. If you don't, you aren't going to be successful and you will regret having the surgery. Go into this being smart and you'll come out at the end even smarter.

Sure, its optional. If you would like to wind up in the hospital or dead.

It is TOTALLY important.  After RNY, we don't absorb vitamins and minerals as well as we used to.  So you will NOT get enough of the vitamins and minerals you need from food.  Most protein shakes don't contain many vitamins, so that won't help you there.  Vitamin water will not contain sufficient amounts.

You need a good bariatric multivitamin (regular adult multivitamins won't have enough of what you need- after RNY, we need at least 200% of the recommended daily allowance of most vitamins and minerals), you need 1500 - 2000 mg of calcium per day (and it must be calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate), and a B12 supplement.  Many doctors also recommend iron.  I recommend Celebrate Vitamins, but Bariatric Advantage are good, too.  Both companies will send you free samples if you just email them and ask.

Failure to take the right vitamins will most likely result in serious nutritional deficiencies.  If you don't take calcium, you will get osteoporosis.  Other deficiencies can cause neurological problems, some of which will be permanent - even if you start taking your vitamins later, the problems may not go away.

Kelly

 . . .I would like to know if it's really necessary to take vitamins. . .

Nope. Not necessary at all, if you want to die.

I recommend you hold off on surgery until you have a very frank talk with your doctor and research exactly what is going to be done to your body and it's impact on your body.

Please research more and understand that vitamins are NOT an option.  I can lead you to a few here on OH that have almost died or have been very sick due to not supplementing.

I see you are from Denton, Obesity Help is having a conference in Dallas next weekend, please consider going and meeting up with those of us that post regularly on the Texas Message Board. 

Come to the Texas Board and talk with some of the folks there that didn't take their vitamins.  I get all of my vitamins at walmart.  With the exception of the Calcium and iron I can get them all for less that $15 a month.  I had to order liquid iron because of issues with constipation.  I just didnt' take the iron now I am low.  So I don't have a choice now.  I have also upped my calcium.  You don't want to wait until you are low to do something about it.  Vitamins are what keep our body functioning like it should.  Since you won't be able to eat and get the vitamins llike you should you will have to supplement.

Who's doing your surgery????  I know some surgeons dont' require you take certain things right at first but eventually you will have to add them in.  Multivitamins and B12 were required from the beginning for me and then at 6 months I was told to add the iron and Calcium.

A number of people have mentioned illness or death that can result from vitamin deficiencies... in case that still sounds a little abstract, try this:

*Irreversible brain damage
*Irreversible nerve damage (inhibiting walking, healing from injuries, ability to hold onto things)
*Chronic exhaustion from anemia

Translated: unless you are looking forward to spending your post-RNY life in a wheelchair, on disability, unable to drive or live independently or think properly, and too tired to lift your head off your pillow... assuming you live through the deficiencies... then YES VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL

Sorry if that sounds harsh - I'm trying to pass on the "scare the sh*t out of you" experience my surgeon gave me.  He and the Nutritionist passed on stories of what happened to patients in their practice who did not take their supplements - and I can assure you... there is no amount of money that I would not pay for supplements to avoid what happened to them.

I buy my vitamins online, and it comes to about $70 every 3 months (or about $24 a month).  www.celebratevitamins.com/

I just wanted to reiterate why you need to take supplements.  When you have surgery they are rerouting the part of your intestine that absorbs nutrients and vitamins from regular food intake.  You will always need to take supplements in order for your body  to get the nutrients it needs. 

I take Optisource 4x day...this equals about $1 a day (I buy them at my local Walgreens) plus a B12 and iron supplement now..most likely will add more calcium when I see my doctor in a week.

I just think of it like this...I can't drink soda anymore and I guarantee you I was spending $1 a day on soda or other crap you wont need or miss...

There are no ifs ands or buts about vitamins...they are mandatory.  When I was in the hospital the bariatric coordinator commented that she was on her way to the psych ward to visit a few patients who has stopped taking their vitamins and who had gone a little "batty" ...all preventable by taking your vitamins and having levels checked regularly... for me there will never be another choice.  Do the right thing and talk to your surgeon they can help you come up with some less expensive options.

Michele

You do need more calcium than what you are getting from four Optisource vitamins.  Those have 250 mg of calcium each (for a total of 1000 mg), and gastric bypass patients need 1500 - 2000 mg of calcium per day.

Kelly