Question:
How much vitamin suppliment after DS surgery?

I will be having a DS on 4/11 and was wondering what quantities of vitamins & calcium are patients taking daily. Also, how often are you having Labs done. Monthly, bi-monthly?    — Linda M. (posted on March 19, 2001)

March 19, 2001
I'm 9 months post DS and I take one prenatal vitamin daily, iron twice daily, and calcium twice daily.
   — PrettyHotAndTempting

March 19, 2001
I forgot to mention the labs......but I have lab work done every 3 months if I'm having problems (I'm anemic) and every 6 months if everything is okay.
   — PrettyHotAndTempting

March 19, 2001
Different surgeons may prescribe slightly different regimens, so you need to go by what your doc advises. My surgeon is Dr. Rabkin in SF, and my supplements are as follows: One prescription-strength prenatal vitamin each day, plus 1800mg calcium (this can be achieved by food and supplements -- I usually take 1250mg in supps and get the rest in my daily food intake). As for kabs, those are down at 6 months, and 12 months, and then annually thereafter, and they can always do extra labs if they see symptoms that might warrant checking the levels.
   — mmagruder

March 19, 2001
My surgeon has his DS patients taking 2000mg of Calcium, a multi vitamin with minerals, 2 TwinLab Allergy A&D tabs, and 4-10 TwinLab Allergy D tabs per day. He says the Vitamin D is essential to help with the absorption of the Calcium. I started out on 4, but blood work showed my vitamine D level to be in the low normal range, so he upped it. Apparently, the body transmutes the vitamin D through several organs and some can get lost in the process. He wants us to take the extra calcium so that calcium isn't leeched from our bones causing osteoporosis. I have had, and will have a bone density study annually, and blood work and a 24 hour urine study every 6 months to one year for the rest of my life to make sure I am absorbing calcium. Small price to pay to be able to eat pretty much what I want, drop 300 pounds (almost halfway there! 2 pounds to go to hit 150 pounds lost!) and move like a normal person. by the way, Happy First Day of Spring, y'all! Viva la gardening! For the first time in about 4 years I, yes, I cleaned up my yard for spring cleanup!
   — merri B.

March 20, 2001
Each surgeon has different protocol for vitamins. I take a perscription prenatal vitamin everyday & make sure I get my calcium in either in food or supplements. I was iron deficient prior to surgery, but am now in normal range. At 16 months postop, my labs are normal. We have labs done at 6monts, 12 months, 18 months, then annually.
   — [Deactivated Member]