Had Surgery in 2009 and Best Vitamins to take-You won't believe...

I don't think there are vitamib as minerals that are not important...

There are some that are more critical than others, because low levels of them can cassie permanat damage to nerves, bones, muscles...etc.  However some of them also can get critically too high, almost toxic. 

That's why. It is critical to know your current levels and monitor some of not most that can be toxic when too high, while others needs to be IMO at least in mid or high normal range (my personal experience) for me to feel good. 

Some that i think are critical

Vit B12, B1 - essential for nerves and low levels may lead to permant dammage or death. Very low toxicity even at high values.

Vit A, K, D - those are fat soluble...very critical, but if over supplemented can become really toxic, and cause a lot of problem.

B6 - water soluble....really important, but toxic when numbers too high. 

VIt, K1:K1 and K2 -both are very critical...K1 has to be monitored because it may cause clotting so people with heart issue, or with clotting -need to be supper careful when they take that one; K2 is more responsible for bone formation and tissue repair...but again..be very careful when supplementing. 

Minerals: salt, calcium, magnesiun, boron,  copper, potasium, iron...these are the one that most people talk about. 

Taking calcium with not enough of D, K2, magnesiun, and other minerals - would, IMO not really help us to get best bones. We need all of them (in different qty) for proper bones formation. 

I take Centrum or equivalent (CVS spectravite).. Plus B12, calcium citrate, magnesium, D3 (dry), K2 ,B1 (additional) , use good quality sea salt. And few more based on my personal blood work. 

I used to take b- complex, but my B6 went off the charts..so now i just add the Bs that I feel i need the most.

I eat "real food"...

I can't stress enough to make sure you get tested and get copy of your results to make sure your numbers are not just "OK". Barely normal does not work for me.  

Iron - my gut does not tolerate oral iron, nor i can really absorb it. After 3 years - i become deficient (and i don't have a period) and now when my ferritin drops below 30...i get iron infusions...(i am very lucky to have a great hema doc who understands my issues and works with me). But i hate the IV, plus i get a lot of side effects, and it costs me $$$ and time to get infused. 

Unless your iron is really high, and high ferritins - supplementing iron is really important, IMO. (Testing just iron without ferritin is, imo, pointless. Ferritin are the iron savings. 

(I have IBS and oral iron makes my gut cramps for hour...really really badly - cry in pain bad - narco bad...) 

(Typed on a tablet- ignore spelling mistakes..-will correct later)

Thank you for this truly generous and thoughtful response.  I especially appreciated your advice about making sure I have my blood work to individualize my supplements to my actual needs, and to listen to my body. Really, this was so helpful.  Thank you.

Here's a list:

Biotin Calcium Choline Chromium Copper Flouride Folic Acid Iodine Iron Magnesium Manganese Molybdenum Niacin Pantothenic Acid Phosphorus Potassium Riboflavin Selenium Sodium Thiamin Vitamin A Vitamin B-12 Vitamin B-6 Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin K Zinc

Gwen, thank you for this list. It gave me specifics to look for.  I cannot find phosphorus listed on the back of my multi bottle, but everything else seems to be there.  Thanks again.  

You're right, I don't believe that all of your labs are actually good with taking Flinstones.  Sorry. 

I had surgery 2007, I take 2 flinstones every day and never am low on anything :-)

Never am low on anything  - that they are testing...You may be a special case....  but I have seen results of people  who claimed not be low on anything .. only to find out that the doc just checked a few items.. not all that can be too low - too high.   and some of the numbers deemed to be "OK" were bit low based on latest studies.. . 

some of long term "veterans" who took Flintstones as per docs order - deal today with rickets, osteopenia.. and permanent nerve damage... that occurred because of years "low normal"  levels..

some damage can be reverse - some can't..

I do hope you area special case and your body can absorb all minerals and vitamins from food and Flintstones..

My Dr does a full panel every time and tests for everything us bariatric patients need to be checked on.. not just the stuff "normal" people need. I have made a few adjustments over time to account if anything is low and get re-checked again. I also keep up with the research and re-check my numbers after she has checked and written her notes for me. She deals with a lot of bariatric patients herself so she stays up on the latest. I know that not all surgeons perform the RNY the same way or bypass the same amount of intestines which can account for different needs for different people. My friend had the same surgeon and she is 11 years out without any issues.

I will definitely ask him next time I see him and see if he has any former patients experiencing issues. I keep in contact with the bariatric coordinator for our local hospital on a regular basis and will ask her as well, she has not mentioned anything and we talk a few times a month.

Flintstones are a bad choice. They do not have everything we need. You don't even save money by taking them since you actually need to take 4 a day so I don't see the point.

Interesting!  I have taken 2 Flintstones Complete chewables since my surgery and have never had a vitamin deficiency!