Question:
Do we absorb calcium from foods or drinks?

I was wondering if calcium from milk or other juices is absorbed by those who have had RNY. Also does anyone know how much iron we can absorb at one time? I'm having such a hard time getting my iron in and I'm anemic. I had surgery a couple of weeks ago and had to receive two pints of blood. I've been anemic most of my life and need to find a way to address this.    — Lisa N M. (posted on March 15, 2004)

March 15, 2004
I personally would not count anything but calories from food. We no longer have a normally functioning stomach, most of the acid and enzymes needed to break the food down into the macromolecules we use for energy just are not present in our pouches. This is why supplementing is so important. If you take the correct types of supplements, a lot of the breaking down has already been addressed chemically, so all we have to do is disolve the package and start absorbing. As for iron, I take the carbonyl type, 25 g of elemental per pill, and I take 2-3 per day. I do know you can get prescription iron pills, but I would stay away from ferrous sulfate (the form found in most Rx and OTC iron pills) We do not absorb that type as well, and it has been know to cause stomach upset and constipation, even in people that have not had WLS. My cousin had surgery 6 yrs ago and had a problem with her iron bottoming out within the last 2 years. She had numerous transfusions and was put on a Rx for iron (ferrous sulfate) After suffering with problems for months, her dr.s finally switched her to ferrous glutamate, and she has done much better.
   — Ali M

March 15, 2004
Protein, iron & calcium will always be problem areas for us. The food does not get "digested" in the normal way, because it doesn't pass through the stomach, and then it does not pass through the "absorptoin station" for those items. What lil bit we get is trying to digest and absorb at the same time and in the wrong part of the intestine to maximize it. If we get any, it's not much, and certainly not reliable. We will get the calories, however. Bargain, eh? We'll also have trouble with vites, A, D, E, B12 and zinc, maybe B1 (thiamin). Those are the issues we need to address supplementally and then bird dog them forever. Our own selves, with our own eyes.
   — vitalady