Good Morning. Now, about your vitamins

What is the maximum magnesium that can be safely taken.  The only vitamins I was placed on post op are:

My 2 multivitamins
2000mg calcium
B12 injection

That is all.  I was never told to take additional D, iron or anything.  I occasionally take B complex.  Nothing has ever been said about my lab results.

Maybe I did not get into a consistent enough regimen with Miralax.  I think I only used it when I was constipated.  Then it would not work, so I quit using it. 

I really don't know.  I have taken 1500 mg a day with no problem.
Your vitamin regiment looks kind of inadequate to me.  Don't feel bad.  That is exactly what my surgeon had me taking after my DS except the B12.  Gina has the links for Vitalady's recommendations and labs.  I would get a complete set of labs run, the ones that Vitalady recommends, and then supplement has necessary.  When you get your labs share them with Gina.  She will know what you need to do.
Doctors generally won't say anything about lab results unless they are out of range.  I want my levels near the top of the range.  And most doctors it seems do not get enough labs done.  I have been fighting with at least 4 or 5 doctors trying to get more labs run.  I had them done a year ago and I wanted them done at 6 months so I could track my levels and not one of my doctors would order them.  I was even going to change doctors but the one I was going to change to refused to do the labs either.  For no reason other then they didn't think it was necessary, even though I know my insurance would pay for it.  I am going to get them done at the end of the month because that will be a year and hopefully they won't argue about it.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes, and Obama Care has its merits for the un(under)insured...but I have seen a MARKED, NOTICABLE change in how my doctors are now approaching my family's care.  There is not question about it. 

I have breast issues.  I almost without fail am required to have 6 month mammograms, followed by ultrasounds, and then usually I am biopsied.  I missed my 6 month followup for my biopsy, I had done last February, but when I finally got in for my mammogram last month , the hospital did not want to do it, wanted me to wait until February, did not want to do both breasts.  An argument ensued.  They did both breasts finally, did not do an ultrasound, and then I received a generic letter ENTIRELY different from the ones this breast center has been sending me for over ten years.  I NOW am going to my OB{GYN and am demanding an ultrasound because of the issues I am having in my right breast.

My husband'sMarch  CAT showed a spot on his lungs with the radiologist suggesting followup imagery....but said it could be a false positive.  My husband  still has the SAME cough 10 months later, and the follow up CAT was never ordered.

We have 2 comprehensive insurance policies that pickup almost everything.  The change in protocol has been so dramatically noticeable, I have started mentioning it to my physicians.  From what I hear...it won't get better.

So I'm not surprised they are refusing to order the labs for you.

Definitely an AMEN Gina!!   They are just part of my daily routine and part of my life!!  

It took me awhile to figure out PITA....LOL  I'll never think of a pita the same....

I read someone's post the other day that said they used children's chewables....when are these Drs. going to get with the program!!  

I rsestarted mine today after being off for two months for surgeries/procedures. I must admit it was a bit daunting when I poured out that handful of vits after not seeming them all for so long. I took them anyway and marvel that before I went off them,I didn't blink an eye at the huge amount,lol. So today,for me,they are an eye opener,lol.

Aaaaameeen!

I'm back into my routine with my vits again.  My issue is, they are starting to get "stuck" and I'm scared to take some of them - I ended up choking last week and was afraid it would go down into my lungs.  That mainly are the ones that are NOT capsules.  I break my Profferin in half and they still want to get "stuck"... but I still take them.  I used to be able to take my vits in 3 batches - but now I break them up into smaller dosages (1-3 small pills at a time, 1 big one at a time, etc.)

But I still find them a PITA, but a necessary one.

I have my first post-surgery lab draw this month. Actually, I just realized today is my 6 month surgiversary. I have been pretty good in taking my vitamins, and am curious to see how my labs are.

As far as constipation - ugh - I take 3 stool softeners at bedtime, have glycerin suppositories on hand and use benefiber a few times per week. I also have started drinking 5.5 oz cans of V8 juice to get extra fiber.

I know we are not supposed to have juices, but the hospital I work at has a "bowel ****tail" which is 6 oz of prune juice, 2 oz of orange juice and a splash of 7-up. That is to be warmed up and followed with a hot drink like coffee, tea, water. (I am pretty sure those are the amounts, if not they are pretty close).

As bad as I had constipation right after surgery, I would chance the ****tail if nothing else worked, but that is just me. I had the sleeve, and don't dump or anything like that.

I think it really needs to be stressed to everyone pre-op how very important this is for the rest of your life.  We need to make sure that we have the resources to continue with these forever prior to having the surgery.

Thanks for getting it out there how important they are Gina.

Aren't you doing Gluten Free?  DH's aunt said she has been told to do this, but she said she would love to have bread - do you know of a bread that is gluten free that taste good???  I told her I would check on our board and see if anyone had suggestions.

Linda