Question:
Can someone PLEASE give me a deatiled list of vitamins.....

that are needed on a daily basis post op. Anything and everything to stay 100% healthy.    — Karen W. (posted on November 29, 2002)


November 29, 2002
* Some nutritionist's supplement types & amts vary but this is what mine instructed me to do. I suggest you check with yours. 1. A multi-vitamin w/iron. Make sure at least 18mg of iron in it. There are so many choices. Make sure it is not time released. Drop one in water or vinegar, if it takes longer than 30 min to dissolve it will not do. Centrum w/iron is good, that's what I take, Flintstones Chewable w/iron, Kmart generic one-a-day is great cause its very small. I had trouble with my stomach w/Centrum. So I would take my vitamin at bedtime. Then I had no stomach trouble cause I slept thru it. However after a mth or so, I was having trouble sleeping. It was due to my vitamin. So I tried taking in the morning and since I've been on it awhile it no longer bothered my stomach. I take one Centrum a day. 2. Then you need Calcium. 1500mg a day however your body will only use 500mg at a time, so take it 3x daily. There's constroversy over Calcium Citrate vs Calcium Carbonate. My nutritionist approves both, however Citrate is to be taken without food, and Carbonate must be taken with food. Citrate breaks down faster. I use Citrate cause in my opinion its better. However any calcium supp gives me terrible gas, but what can you do, you need it. And do not take your calcium with any other meds because it will interfere with your other meds, so take it at a separate time. 3. B12. Chewables, pills or injections. 1000mcg/ml each dose of 1 mthly injection. I chose injections cause the needle is sooo tiny and very easy to do. Just grab some of that excess flab we have on thighs, butt, or stomach and inject. It also is so cheap. You'll get a 6 mth supply of syringes for approx $6. and same price for the B12. I'm not sure on the dosage to take by mouth but your PCP or surgeon should be able to tell you.
   — Karla K.

November 29, 2002
Regarding B-12, it needs to be done intramuscularly, not subcutaneously. If the previous poster is using short needles and giving herself shots in the belly, it is not the proper method for administering B-12 by injection. See http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs/0295/0.html JR
   — John Rushton

November 29, 2002
I'll have to question my PCP on that then, because I specifically asked him that. I give myself IM injections for my Multiple Sclerosis. I asked him if B12 we to be IM or Subcu and he stated it can be given either way. He's a physician who has been in practice for a long time and I trust him but I sure will research this.
   — Karla K.

November 29, 2002
Ok, I just went and looked on my bottle of B12 and the bottle itself says, IM or SC. ooops I dont know what I was doing trying my last triple posting, sorry!
   — Karla K.

November 29, 2002
hello...this is what i use and my labs are all normal: 1 centrum adult complete chewable orange flavor 2 citrical, calcium citrate 1 trinsicon (prescription iron, folic acid, b-12, vitamin c) 1 vitamin c 1 b-12 sublingual 3x a week i start my day with 30g of protein: 12 oz coffee mixed with 1 tbls jarrows iso rich soy protein powder, 1/2 scoop eas advantage muscle enhancer whey protein, vitamite milk sub and splash of heavy whipping cream i drink 64oz water daily and center my meals around protein for more tips, ideas and files check my website: http://www.geocities.com/katebme2002 good luck! kate open rny 6-14-01 pre op: 268lbs goal: 135lbs current: 126lbs
   — jkb

November 29, 2002
Sorry to dispute this with you John, but both IM and SQ are reccommended route for administration of Vitamin B12 Cobalamin or Cyanocobalamin. Sublingual is also acceptable for the tablet form. There has not been documented superiority of one route over another.This includes the nasal administration of the drug as well...it is just more expensive. For most people the oral form is fine as well but for us it does not work. Absorption of vitamin B-12 from food requires normal function of the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Stomach acid and enzymes free vitamin B-12 from food, allowing it to bind to other proteins, known as R proteins . In the alkaline environment of the small intestine, R proteins are degraded by pancreatic enzymes, freeing vitamin B-12 to bind to intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by specialized cells in the stomach. Receptors on the surface of the small intestine take up the IF-B-12 complex only in the presence of calcium, which is also supplied by the pancreas. Hope this helpd someone...Keniki, Registered Nurse
   — Keniki B.

November 29, 2002
I only have to take ONE- a chewable Flintstones complete. I have B-12 sublingual, but so far I haven't needed it....Karen (lap rny- 9/20/02- down 75 pounds!)
   — karmiausnic

November 29, 2002
I take one chewable multi-vitamin each day, and one Real Meals shake. The Real Meals has my 60 grams of protein, vitamin b12, calcium, iron, combination of biotin and special nutrients to prevent hair loss, and over 40 other vitamins. It is formulated to be 100% absorbed by gastric bypass patients so it eliminates the need for the other supplements. I have been on just the vitamin and Real Meals since I was about 4 weeks post op and my labs are perfect, and I feel great. I have had no hair loss. It also has lean muscle stimulators to prevent some of the "sagging", it worked for me, I am six pounds below goal and have no hanging skin.
   — Linda A.

November 29, 2002
I contacted vitalady at www.vitalady.com and she sent me the entire program and explained in great detail abut our vitamins. what we can absorb and etc. also what we should be taking and when and all about labs and just everything you need to know to stay healthy. She is a great inspiration to me and i know she will gladly help you.
   — Delores S.

November 29, 2002
Keniki & Karla - I stand corrected on the administration method for B-12 injections. It was my understanding that they had to be administered IM. <p> Karen - you really need to be starting your B-12 supplements within 2 months after your surgery. Excess B-12 is stored in the liver and right now you are living off those stored supplies, but when you run out, you will be in danger of developing pernicious anemia. According to my nutritionist, once pernicious anemia starts, the nerve damage that it caused is irreversible - all you can hope to do at that point is to prevent further nerve damage...JR
   — John Rushton

November 30, 2002
Karen - here's a detailed list, which is what you requested! I buy my vitamins at Wal-Mart. I read and researched every vitamin program available to WLS patients and also got great advice from Michelle "Vitalady" Curran. I take: early AM w/ 4oz. OJ- 1 500mg Ester C Vitamin C and 2 50mg. Carbonyl Iron (these are both Sundown brand); BREAKFAST- 2 Citrical LUNCH- 1 Centrum Performance DINNER- 2 Citrical and at BEDTIME- 1 Centrum Performance and 2 Citrical. I take the Citrical Plus, with magnesium and vitamin D. Also take, every other day, 1 dropperful of Sublingual B-12 (Spring Valley brand). All of these times are available at Wal-Mart. I just had labs done at 4-1/2 months post-op and all was right where it should be. Now keep in mind though that when you're newly post-op, the first couple of months, you'll want to stick with 2 chewable children's vitamins (I used Bugs Bunny Complete). I also used GNC's chewable calcium wafers which are calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, okay for short-term use but not long-term. If you find you are unable to tolerate the large Citrical pills, I suggest ordering from Vitalady. I've read that her calcium is capsules. It is also reasonably priced. I'm thinking of adding vitamins A & E but we need the dry formula of those and I'm not finding them locally yet. Hope all this info helps! Good Luck to you. - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -93lbs.
   — Anna L.

November 30, 2002
Sorry for the dyslexic typing there: all of these ITEMS are available at Wal-Mart :) Also, forgot to note that I break my Citrical and my Centrum in half before taking. Ciao!
   — Anna L.

November 30, 2002
Each morning, I take: One multi-vitamin with extra folate and iron (my doctor prescribes a pre-natal) Two Calcium citrate with D, 315mg each on Mon, Wed, Fri - One sublingual B12, 1000mg (from GNC). Each afternoon I take two more calcium and in the evening one last calcium. (We need 1500mg a day, but can only absorb about 500 at a time.) I have heard about not taking your multi with calcium because they don't mix, but my nutritionist says it's fine.
   — jen41766

November 30, 2002
Jennifer, it's iron and calcium which don't mix. Iron is best on an empty stomach and taken with Vit C.
   — Leslie F.




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