Question:
Taking Vitamins and suppliments is a life long requirement.

Post-op Risks <p> 10-20% of patients who have weight-loss operations require followup operations to correct complications. Abdominal hernias are the most common complications requiring followup surgery. <b>Less common complications include breakdown of the staple line and stretched stomach outlets. (most surgeries are now stapled and wrapped sewn, which makes this even LESS common)</b> <p> More than one-third of obese patients who have gastric surgery develop gallstones. (For this reason most surgeons require the Gallbladder be removed at same time) Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. During rapid or substantial weight loss a person's risk of developing gallstones is increased. If Gallbladder is not removed, Gallstones can be prevented with supplemental bile salts taken for the first 6 months after surgery. <p> Nearly 30 percent of patients who have weight-loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease. These deficiencies can be avoided if vitamin and mineral intakes are maintained. <b>(Once patients loose their excess weight and their lab work is good at the 6th month and 12 month checkups, they tend to get lax on taking vitamins and supplements DON'T let this happen this is a LIFE LONG requirement)</b> Take your supplements and vitamins at a set time of day everyday, if you need to have a daily reminder post it on the refrigerator or use those handy daily pill boxes that hold a weeks supply. ;-) <p> http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/vbowen/index.html <p> Open RNY Proximal 12/8/99 Beginning weight 367 NOW 270.4..    — Victoria B. (posted on April 13, 2000)

April 13, 2000
Vicky - thanks so much for the reminder. I'm having problems taking my new vitamins - just too darn big. Cutting them doesn't help much - just makes taking a few pills look like a much bigger job. I'm also confused on when to take certain vitamins - can I take calcium and B's together? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
   — Toni B.

April 13, 2000
Toni, I just heard yesterday that Centrum comes in liquid form. Maybe you can find out about it. I eat chewables (childrens), I can't stand liquid medicines. Good luck.
   — char T.

April 13, 2000
Thanks for another informative post, Vicki. Where's my vitamins.......
   — Jaye C.

April 13, 2000
I just saw that liquid Centrum at Walgreens the other day when I was looking for some sublinguil vitamin B-12. I wish I would have know about that right after my surgery. I hated the taste of the chewables. Luckily, now, I am able to swallow the regular Centrum pills without any trouble.
   — Lynn K.

April 13, 2000
Victoria, Thanks for the great info. I keep all my vitamins on my night stand, before I set my alarm and go to bed, I set out my vitamins for the following day on my bathroom counter, along with a bottle of h2o. It's the first thing I see in the mornings,reminding me to take them. I consider it my pre-breakfast cocktail!!! It becomes a routine, just like eating. Toni, I'm not sure about taking calciun and B vitamins together, but I know you shouldn't take iron and calcium at the same time. Good luck! Surgery 1-11-00 down 60#
   — Dani J.

April 13, 2000
One-A-Day has a multiple which is small enough to swallow whole. I'm only 4 weeks post-op and I don't have any trouble. I, too hate the taste of the liquid and the chewables taste also yukky!
   — Sandy C.

April 13, 2000
Thanks for your informative posts Vicky. I always get a lot out of the info you have:)
   — Paula G.