Question:
Is it okay to drink a lot of water with your vitamins?

Hi there! I am almost 6 weeks post-op and learning to take my vitamins. I take 2 flintstones (can't stomach the bigger pills), 2 calcium citrate, 1 nifrex-forte (iron) and a B12 every day. I don't take the iron and calcium at the same time. My questions are- do these vitamins sound right AND if I am drinking water (more than a sip to wash them down) with them, does the water flush the vitamins out of my system? If so, how long until I can drink water after taking my vitamins? Thanks so much in advance! Susan Stream    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on October 13, 2003)

October 12, 2003
As for whether or not you are taking the "right" vitamins, check with your doctor. This varies by program. The only one I might question is your calcium intake. Regular people can only absorb about 500 mg of calcium at a time. So two doses a day are giving you a maximum of 1000 mg supplementation. 1500 mg is a common dosage, but, again, your doc may have a different requirement. As for drinking with your vitamins: not a problem. Vitamins and mutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, not the stomach. Water will wash the vitamins out of your stomach, but washes them to the area in which they are absorbed. No problem.
   — Vespa R.

October 13, 2003
The only comment I have is on the iron. I was told by a pharmacist and dietician that the iron should be taken by itself on an empty stomach with something like orange juice or grapefruit juice to help it be absorbed. Good luck!
   — Lynette B.

October 13, 2003
The iron is a good one, in theory. It contains vit C, but I always took extra vit C, anyway. 2000mg of C per day is safe, is an antioxidant, increases immunities. The B12 is sublingual? 2 calcium citrate is not enough, most likely. Read the serving size carefully. 2000mg MINIMUM for any WLS. (1500 is right for a normie losing a few lbs. 1200 is right for a normie not losing wt.) I add the fat solubles (A, D, E in dry form) and a small zinc. Then adjust with labs as you go. We do malabsorb fats/oils (to a degree, even proximals) so better to cover your bases than not. Labs will straighten them out. The general public can take 800IU of E for heart health, so that is a good rule of thumb for us as well, since we don't get 100% from good, anyway, AND we rather avoid those foods. A= eys. D = bones. E= hair, skin, nails, capillary walls (& for men, urinary tract, prostate & toys). Water with pills. Why not get a load on before you take your pills, wait maybe 10 miunutes, then proceed. The pills should break down in less than thatin saliva & water, and the absorption will )or will not - malabsorption) occur in the intestine as they pass the asborptive portions. Vitamins don't absorb in the stomach.
   — vitalady

October 13, 2003
Have you considered taking Vista vitamins? Carney Wilson supports them, maybe her company, I don't know but I have taken them for nearly 2 years and my labs are excellent. I believe they are about $70ish for a 2 month supply mail order. The are made especially for the bariatric patient.For me they also have a nice side effect of keeping the stool in form.
   — Sandra Y.