Question:
do we zinc and iron in addition to that found in the 2 vitamins daily?

I am still pre-op. The bugs bunny I bought will supply more than 100%RDA if i take 2/day. I know about Calcium as an extra, but what about zinc and iron. The less pills the better, if you know what I mean.    — claire C. (posted on September 5, 2000)

September 5, 2000
I take Flinstones Complete with Iron daily. I've become expecially fond of the purple Barney's! :-) I'm 19 months post RnY with 8 ft bypassed. (I won't get into the distal/medial/proximal debate.) My 6/12/18 month labs have been perfect. I take 2 Viactiv calciums a day. I did take 50 mg of zinc a day along with 25,000 IUs of beta-carotene for hair loss. My hair has all grown back now and I don't take those suppliments. I do not use protein suppliments (don't want to get in that debate either.) Don't get knotted up about taking your suppliments or any other meds you need. Just make it part of your daily routine. Good luck to you!
   — Roseann M.

September 5, 2000
I can't add anything of any importance here, just that in the Flintstones vitamins, the purple ones are Dino, not Barney. LOL. Surgery scheduled three weeks from today and if I don't keep things light-hearted right now, I may go nuts from worrying!
   — Terry M.

September 5, 2000
It depends on how malabsorptive your procedure will be. I took two chewables a day as recommended but by the fourth week postop I still had no energy so I started taking two regular vitamins (cut in half). I also have been taking extra zinc and biotin to help prevent hair loss (five months and no hair loss yet...knocking wood!). Even though I took my vitamins faithfully every day I developed iron and B12 anemia. I now have to take additional supplements for that. I'm due to have my blood work done this week to find out if the supplements have been working. I can't advise you to take anything as I am not a medical professional, but I can remind you that even though the vitamins provide 100%, we won't absorb all 100% (unless you're having a purely restrictive procedure).
   — Kellie L.

September 5, 2000
The problem being that the multis are designed for people with a stomach and intestines in full working order. That does not apply to us after surgery. We will come up short in 8 elements without supplementation and yes, it can take awhile to show up. Protein, iron, calcium, A, D, E, zinc and B12. The protein should be predigested, made in sugar free beverages, not milk or fruit juice. Iron should NOT be ferrous sulfate, but should be taken with a vit C and nothing else. Calcium should be citrate, at least 1500mg elemental/day WITH D. A, D & E will be best absorbed if taken in dry form. A cap with powder, not an oil filled pill. B12 is best taken by shot or under the tongue. You don't need a lot of each pill, but should hit the bases. The problem with just taking several multi's is that you can get too much in some elements and not near enough in others. Better to just identify those shortages and prepare accordingly.
   — vitalady