Question:
How soon can you take iron and calcium?

I am 19 days post op and my info packet says to wait until several months out to talk to your doctor about taking your multi-vitamins in a pill form, then down at the bottom of the page it says that you will need to take iron post-op, but does not say when to start taking it. The iron I have is fairly small...is now too soon to start taking it? I was also wondering if it is too soon to take calcium in the caplet form. I have tried mixing it with drinks and it is just a little too off for my liking. I put one of the empty caps in hot water and it completely dissolved in 10 minutes, so I'm assuming the same would be true in my stomach...but I really don't want to find out the hard way. I would appreciate any input. Thanks.    — eaamc (posted on February 19, 2003)

February 19, 2003
I take Flinstones complete chewable vitamins 2X day, Caltrate 600 plus (chewable calcium) 3X day, B12 sublingual once a day. I'm at 6 months out and my bloodwork is good. Some numbers are better than before surgery. At 3 months out I had decided on my own to increase my iron, so I bought some pills, fairly small. Boy I will NEVER do that again. It got stuck and the pain was horrid. Not that the same will happen to you, but there are chewable alternatives to swallowing pills. But I do know people in my support group that swallow adult multi-vitamins and do fine. I started taking all my vitamins at 1-2 weeks out, then at my 6 week check-up the Dr said that I could start taking them, he was fine with the fact that I was already taking them.
   — Dana B.

February 19, 2003
I think we had surgery around the same day. I was instructed by my surgeon to start taking all my vitamins after my first post-op visit, which was about 10 days afterwards when they removed my jp drain. They also told me I could take any reasonably sized pill at that time. I take the iron and b12, both of which are smallish, but I chose to use chewable multivitamins for now. If you are confused I am sure you can call your doc and they can tell you when you should be taking things and what exactly. Good Luck!
   — Dee ,.

February 19, 2003
Just a reminder....dont take your iron and calcium at the same time...I ususally wait an hour or so.
   — cherokey55

February 19, 2003
Also, calcium should be taken with meals for maximum absorption. It's worth while to purchase a vitamin guide to better understand what works and why. Although my vitamin guide doesn't specifically address RNY, it does talk about what types are more difficult to absorb than others....so if it's hard for a regular tummy to absorb, I know that it will be doubly so for me. I take four children's chewables a day and 4 TwinLab Calcium Citrates a day (taste like sweetart wafers) and a B-12 once a month. My multi has iron but I'll be having labs soon to determine if I need a separate iron supplement. Best Wishes to you!
   — Sharon L.