Question:
WHAT MEDS, VITAMINES, & MINERALS WILL I BE ON FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE?

I am hoping to go for either the Lap-RNY or Gastric Banding (Lap-Band). Can you guys pls tell me what meds i should expect to take for the rest of my life ?!! Thanks a bunch !!!    — Laura R. (posted on May 3, 2003)

May 2, 2003
I had the open rny and everyday I have to take 2 kids chewable vitamins(bugs bunny, they are SF) and 4 SF Tums, plus I eat 1-2 protien bars a day, they are loaded with vitamins :o) Good luck!
   — Sandy M.

May 2, 2003
Whatever your doc tells you!!!!! i know they all want us on calcuim(make sure it is calcuim citrate) and multi-vits but they all have their own protocol.
   — Delores S.

May 2, 2003
As far as special meds, some doctors prescribe Actigall (until 6 months) if you still have your gallbladder post-op as rapid weight loss promotes the formation of gall stones. My surgeon wrote me a Rx for it, but I never filled it and no gallstones. <p> As far as vitamins and minerals, the need is greater with the RNY operation because of the malabsorption issues with the re-routing of your plumbing. You need to supplement with calcium citrate, B-12 (either shots or sublingual tablets), iron (for women), folic acid (for women of childbearing age) and your normal slew of vitamins. The Lap-Band is merely a restrictive procedure and, AFAIK, does not require any special supplementation...JR (open RNY 07/17/02 -172 pounds)
   — John Rushton

May 2, 2003
Laura, I take a prenatal vitamin twice a day, calcium three times a day and that's it for me. Some of my surgeon's patients take sublingual B12 once a week as a precaution but my levels are so high that he doesn't ask me to take it. I was told at my initial consult that the multi-vitamin and the calcium were for life and not negotiable. I haven't taken any of the biotin or special hair vitamins and I've had very little hair loss.
   — Patty_Butler

May 3, 2003
I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL THE WONDERFUL PPL OUT THERE WHO ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE FOUND PPL LIKE YOU !!! ~Laura~
   — Laura R.

May 3, 2003
B-12, iron and for God's sack TAKE POTASSIUM for the first 6-9 months at least! Geese, I ended up with really low potassium and some very scarey visits to the ER for potassium by IV. I'm not sure, but I'm wondering if the summer (and sweating) caused some of the potassium problems. Perhaps if I'd had WLS during the winter I could have avoided the potassium problems??? Anyway, be careful with it. It is very dangerous to have potassium hit bottom like I did.
   — Danmark

May 3, 2003
I take a centrum adult chewable, a sublingual B-12, and calcium daily. For calcium, because I'm only 2 weeks post-op, I use Viactiv chews, but will be switching to calcium citrate when Dr. says to.
   — Judy N.