Question:
should I switch vitamins?

I am 2 years post op and am currently taking 2 flinstone complete vitamins per day (plus B 12 and calcium) I noticed a lot of long term post ops take regular adult vitamins instead of the childrens vitamins. The flinstone vitamins seem to be missing some vitamins and minerals that are in the adult vitamins and I am wondering if I should switch. Ehat vitamins are you long term post ops taking and how many per day? Are you still taking Iron and how many Mg per day?    — charlene P. (posted on October 28, 2003)

October 27, 2003
I take <i>Vital Nutrients brand</i> Multi-nutrients vitamins daily - 3 a day. They are very bioavailable and breakdown easily in the system. I don't take iron supplements, but I'm a special case :>) Seriously, I am. Had too much iron preop and now it's just about right - still a smidge on the high end of normal. I eat a LOT of red meats though, which may have something to do with it (shrug). You can definitely switch to grown up vits now :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 27, 2003
I take the vitamins by Bariatric Advantage... I used to buy them direct from them BariatricAdvantage.com but found them cheaper at the place I buy my protein from.... WLSSupplies.com Hope this helps.... Mel
   — Melissa P.

October 27, 2003
At my six month check-up the nurse told me to switch from children's to an adult formula vitamin. I asked why, since the children's had more of most of the vitamins than adult formulas. She said it's because the children's don't have some of the trace minerals and vitamins that we need, and that our livers will store those for only about six months. She suggested Centrum Silver, but said any complete adult vitamin (pill or chewable) should be fine. As to iron, individual needs vary. Go by your lab results to know if you need more than what's in the multivitamin, and how much.
   — Vespa R.

October 28, 2003
I am 2 1/2 months post-op, and my doctor started my with the flintstone children's vit, but I stopped them right away, I could not stand the sweet taste, and they have no folic acid, something a adult women really needs, so I use Centrum Chewables they have a mild orange taste, and have the 100% daily iron and the daily folic acid. I can swollow pills okay now, but I just like the chewables.
   — cindy

October 28, 2003
I started Prenatal Vitamins when I was 2 1/2 months post-op. I take one in the morning and one at night. And I take Citracal morning and night. My surgeon only wanted us on the children's chewables til the pouch healed.
   — Patty_Butler

October 28, 2003
I'm 9 yrs out, take 2 adult multi (always have), lots & lots of calcium citrate (more than I would recommend for you) with mag & D, extra D (I go by current labs), E, zinc, potassium (again, by labs, not by guessing). And a smattering of misc, like milk thistle (liver enzymes), cranberry (had a UTI once, not doing HAT again), B-complex and some arthritis OTC stuff. The A, D, E are dry form. I'm distal, so malabsorb more like 95% of fats/oils whereas proximals dont malabsorb THAT much, but do some. Most of my peer group (1994-1995) does take large dose iron, and it is more common the longer you go out from surgery. I personally don't need it right now as I was storing it up neatly. Not sure how since I spent a lifetime anemic. B12 by shot, my choice. I do not prefer to chew or suck a lozenge or do liquids. Ewww, gross. I swallow all the pills.
   — vitalady