Question:
NEED HELP ON VITAMIN DOSAGES

Hi, I'm currently taking a chewable multivitamin, which is all my doctor requires. But I would like to take calcium, B12, and iron. I need to know what doses of the following are that we should take and should it be chewable or liquid? I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out. CALCIUM- should it be citrate or carbonate and how much IRON-any special kind and how much B12- Lozenger or spray and how much And is there anything else I should be taking or did I cover the essentials? THANK YOU SO MUCH!    — Kelly* P. (posted on February 6, 2003)

February 6, 2003
Hi I'm not sure about the iron, I think the chewable vitamins have iron in them, my Dr. recommended Flinstones chewables twice a day, and calcium citrate,not carbonate since they're finding out now that we don't absorb the carbonate.Calcium citrate should be taken twice a day also, and 2 to 3 hours after the chewable multivitamin.I'm only about 5 weeks post so I haven't had to do anything with the B-12 yet, but when I go to see my PCP I'm gonna ask her for the shot.I just can't stomach swallowing another pill!!HTH
   — Dorothy B.

February 6, 2003
Kelly, Figured I would post on in, everyone else must have skipped this question. Figured I would try to help. This is what I take hope it helps. For Iron and B12: My doctor prescribes to me Trinicon, I take 2 capsules a day, in the begnning I could hardly get them down for the first 2 months post op I was taking about 3 chewable vitamins a day. allong with the following : GNC B12 subliminal 1000mg once every other day Calcium Citrate 500 mg 3 x's a day , I used the liquid form that I mixed with diet cranberry juice, as in the first couple of months I couldn't stomache anything. After 3 months post op I changed and also added something into what I take, I now take daily: 2 Multi vitamins (twin lab) capsules 2 trinsicon capsules (Doctor prescribed)b12 and iron supplment 1 gnc B12 subliminal 1000mg taken every other day 3 calcium citrate capsules, I buy them on line from www.bodybuilders.com each one contains 750mg of calcium citrate, I take one with mid snack, 1 with lunch and the other with dinner, (We only absord 500 mg at a setting) These are the main essentials as to what we're supposed to take in. I how-ever take in a little more. Chrominum Piclinate, Creatine, Garlic, Vitamin E, Biotin, I figure it's all natural, better to get more in then not enough. Best of luck Post op 8 months and down 115 pounds.
   — tannedtigress

February 6, 2003
Kelly, I am about 9 weeks post op .Immediately after my surgery I have to take 2 FLINTSTONES CHEW VIT W/IRON PER DAY,500 MG CALCIUM CITRATE 2X DAY, AND 500 MG SUBLINGUAL B12 TABLETS 2 X WEEK. Hope this helps.
   — NANCY P.

February 6, 2003
I'm shocked that your doctor just requires a multivitamin. Have you asked the doc why he is not recommending the B12, calcium that the rest of us take? I would definitely ask. Without calcium citrate (not carbonate), you will be a quick candidate for early osteoporosis. Take no more than 500 mg at a time (either twice or 3X a day-some take even more a day), definitely 2 multi-vitamins (I am a year post-op and still take Flintstones because I like the taste), and B12, either sublingually (under the tongue) or you can get monthly injections (my fav). Some people take iron- I don't and my labs are fine, but get your blood checked every 3 months and that will often tell you if you need more vitamins or are deficient in something.
   — Cindy R.