Question:
I'm 10 months post-op LAP RNY and was wondering,

I have had some issues with dizziness/fainting ever since aboout 3 months post op. My starting weight was 298 I am down -120lbs. I'm wondering if I'm taking my vitamins correctly. I take my iron with vitamin C in the morning. then I take 2 B-12's and a multi vitamin in the afternoon. I have not been taking calcium, because of my own stupidity. When do I take it. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before taking it. If someone could provide me with a sample vitamin schedule, It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!    — Kristina P. (posted on February 19, 2002)

February 19, 2002
Hi..I'm 8 months post-op, and here's my vitamin schedule...7:30 AM, 2 Flintstone chewable multi-vitamins, 8:00 AM 1 b12 (500 mg), 10:00 AM 1 Citrical + D, 4:30 PM 1 iron (324 mg ferrous sulfate) and 1 vitamin C, then at bedtime I take 1 more Citrical + D. That's it! Hope this helps!
   — Becky H.

February 19, 2002
I take 2 children's chewable, 2 calcium, 1 magnesium(helps to absorb calcium), and 1 B12 in the morning. At night I take 1 children's chewable, and 1 calcium.
   — alicialeew

February 19, 2002
Dizziness/fainting have more to do with low blood pressure than vitamin deficiencies. Have you had your BP checked? Mine used to be high before WLS, and now it sometimes dips as low as 70/40, probably because I eat so little.
   — Terissa R.

February 19, 2002
Hey were both down 120 pounds. I am the same as you. Occasionally dizzy. Worse if I havent got in enough water. Mine is from LOW BP. Have you checked your BP during a dizzy spell? I did once it was 85 over 58. Your not still on any BP meds?
   — bob-haller

February 19, 2002
What does your doc say? Have you asked him/her and or your PCP? Get bloodwork, etc. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

February 19, 2002
I, too had problems with dizziness, altho I never actually fainted. Mostly I had what they call "postural dizziness" which is when you become dizzy & get black spots in your vision upon standing up or bending over. I FELT like I was going to faint many times, but didn't actually lose consciousness. Seems most of that went away at about a year post op, which is also when my weight loss had really slowed down & leveled off. My lab tests always came back good, so I just chalked it up to the condition of losing so much weight so fast (I lost 175 pounds in that year). My blood pressure, while much lower than it HAD been, was not what they called "low blood pressure." I still have very occasional episodes, mostly when I haven't eaten for a while. I only take 2 multi vitamins & 2 calcium tablets a day. I have asked my doctor if I should be taking others, but he says my lab tests show I am getting the vitamins & everything I need. When my tests showed a slight vitamin A deficiency, he had me take Vit A tablets for six months & then the levels had become normal again, so he said I could go off the A. He says we will continue to monitor all those levels & if anything shows up deficient, then we will supplement more. I think this is working for me. I have been very active & healthy; I feel great & my labs come out good.
   — Kathy W.