Question:
Schedule for taking vitamins?

Even though I am over a year out, I still find myself hopelessly confused with vitamins. I am not sure when to take iron, calcium and multivits with what or how long between doseages (like, do I take my iron on an empty stomach a few hours before or after everything else? what do I need to take with or not with calcium and/or B12? ) Does anyone have a strict schedule that they adhere to? Can you tell me what you take, when and how much and how close to meals you do this? I keep trying to get/stay on track and then I find its been days since I've taken any vits because I am simply confused all the time. Thanks much.    — susanje (posted on March 24, 2004)


March 24, 2004
9:00am Calcium, (3) 1500 mg (do not take with Iron) 12:00am Childrens Vitamins (3), Vitamin A&D (2), Iron (1) 2:00am Calcium, (3) 1500 mg (do not take with Iron) 5:00am Childrens Vitamins (3), Vitamin A&D (2), Iron (1) 8:00am Childrens Vitamins (3), Vitamin A&D (2), Iron (1) Once a week (on Sunday's) I take my B12 pill. And when I do my vitamins I also do my protien shakes.
   — TLLessor

March 24, 2004
I don't know if my way is right...I'm always confused about this to. However, this is what I do. I take 1 multi vit in the morning with a vit C and B12 sub. Lunchtime, I take my 2nd multi vit, vit A&D, & 1 Calcium. If needed (depending on lab work), around 2:30, I take vit C and 1 Iron. After dinner 6:00/6:30 I take 2nd Calcium. Before bed 11:00 I take 3rd Calcium. My Multi is from Vitalady...suppoesedly similar to Centrum My Vit C is 1000mg per pill. My B12 is sublingual 500mcg per each pill. My Vit A&D is 10,000 IU Vit A (from retinyl acetate) & 400 IU Vit D3. My Calcium is 500mg Calc, 250mg Mag, & 200 IU vit D for each pill. My Iron (if needed) is 150mg elemental iron (polysaccharide) for each pill. I used to take Vit E, but will be having skin removal surgery in May. Therefore I stopped taking it until afterwards. You're supposed to stop taking it 2 weeks prior (because it thins the blood a bit), but I want to have a greater span of time with it being out of my blood than two weeks...better safe than sorry. Hope this helps!
   — Renee B.

March 24, 2004
I take Vista Vitamins at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. Each pack has four capsules. I take my calcium at 11:00 am and before I go to bed. This is what my surgeon said to do; my blood work has been fine and I have not been sick since my surgery.
   — Jazzy

March 24, 2004
I take 5 High Potency multi vitamins in the morning, then 1600 mg of calcium around dinner time (GNC brand, they're small and easy to swallow). I use a Vitamin B sublingual twice a week. My blood work has been great and I feel great.
   — susannahs

March 24, 2004
I am still working with the my surgeon's bare minimum requirements, being 6 months post-op. This could change after my first blood work in a couple of weeks. I added 2 stool softeners per day, and a biotin tablet (possible help with hair loss). Here is how I take everything: 6:30 AM - following breakfast, 1 chewable adult multi, and 1 sublingual B-12; at or after lunch, 12:00 Noon - 1 500 mg calcium +mag and D, 1 stool softener, biotin; Dinner, around 7 PM - 1 calcium +mag and D (all in the same capsule), stool softener; bedtime, about 9:45 PM - 2 carbonyl iron, and 500 mg chewable Vit C. I found early on that taking the iron and Vit C at bedtime worked really well for me, and my doc approved this as well.
   — Carlita

March 24, 2004
I understand your confusion completely. So many vitamins to take, some once a day, some twice, some not to take with others..blah blah blah! I have found Bariblend vitamins which are especially formulated to Bariatric patients. If you order the Bariblend Complete, they come packaged for the day, each package marked with which time to take and you only end up taking 3 packets per day. One at 8:00 a.m., one at 12:00 p.m. and the last at 5:00 p.m. The cost for a 30 day supply is $56.00. You can order them online at www.barblend.com. Good luck and be healthy!
   — yayabinkies

March 24, 2004
I take both of my (2 Centrum w/ iron) multi vitamins and a seperate iron pill 30-60 minutes after my lunch everyday. (per my dietician) At night, I take my 2 calcium citrate pills. (They have a natural ability to help you SLEEP, also!) On WED/SAT, I take my 2 B-12 pills sublingually. JUST THAT SIMPLE!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

March 24, 2004
I take 1000 mcg B-12 upon rising. After my walk (and before eating) I take my iron with vitamin C. A half hour before lunch: 1 multivitamin/vitamin C and Zinc 50 mg. Mid-afternoon: 1 500 mg Calcium citrate. A half hour before dinner: 1 multivitamin/vitamin C and dry vitamin E 400 units. An hour after dinner: 1 500 mg Calcium citrate. At least 2 hours later I take my last 500 mg of Calcium citrate and 400 units of dry vitamin A and D.
   — LLinderman

March 24, 2004
That should be 10,000 units of A and D, not 400. My calcium also has Magnesium and vitamin D in it.
   — LLinderman

March 25, 2004
i dont understand all the long list of vitamins and supplements. I am 10 months out and blood work has been great. The ONLY thing my DOC has pres. for me to take is Flinstones Chewables Complete 1 in AM and 1 in PM feeling fine best of luck to all lap RNY 3/03 253/163/140
   — Antoinette B.

March 25, 2004
Annette, my cousin's dr. told her the same thing (2 flintstones/day). She ended up in the hospital with iron deficiency. Had to have blood and iron transfusions. Granted, it took her a few years to develop it, but that happened over a year ago and she is still feeling the effects and fighting to keep her levels up. We take these vitamins to PREVENT such problems b/c it is easier than to try and recover from them. Good Luck.
   — Ali M

March 25, 2004
Sorry! Antoinette, not Annette!
   — Ali M




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