Question:
Can you give me a listing of the vitamins you take?

Hi everyone! I am having my revision of RNY Open on Monday and I have forgotten the vitamins that I am supposed to be taking. I am seeing my nutritionist at the end of the week, but I would like to know before hand what to expect. Thank you for your help. Erika    — Erika B. (posted on August 12, 2002)

August 12, 2002
I am 16 out post op, RNY. I take B12, Citrical+D (4), Centrum Silver (1), Darwin Joe's Hair, Skin and Nails (3), and 2 iron supplements per day. I get my protein from my foods and drink loads of water.
   — jenn2002

August 12, 2002
BEGIN THE DAY YOU RETURN HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL 1.) CHEWABLE MULTI-VITAMIN PLUS IRON. .(CENTRUM JR PLUS IRON) TAKE ONE AM AND ONE PM 2.) VITAMIN B12 SUBLINGUAL(UNDER THE TONGUE 500MCG 3.) CHEWABLE CALCIUM 500MG DAILY ..VIACTIVE,,TUMS..CALBURST.. 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY AND FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE 1.) MULTI VITAMIN WITH IRON DAILY 2.) CALCIUM 1200-1800MG DAILY 3.) OPTIONAL...VITAMIN B-100 COMPLEX 3 TIMES A WEEK
   — ELAINE A.

August 12, 2002
Elaine, the calcium that you listed is calcium CARBONATE. We do not absorb this type of calcium. Acid is needed for it to be bioavailable. Please check your labels and make sure that it says Calcium Citrate.
   — Cheri M.

August 12, 2002
Yep, gotta take the calcium citrate. Carbonate will NOT be absorbed. I have my supplements listed on my profile if you want to take a look. I have tried several different types and am now happy with my routine. I just saw a new type of calcium called Drinkables (I think) that has 1200 mg of calcium in one ounce that tastes like vanilla milk. Don't know about the sugar content but it contains calcium malate (OK), calcium citrate (OK), and calcium triphosphate (can't find any good info on that yet). Anybody try it yet? And where do ya get it?
   — ctyst

August 13, 2002
Vitamin recommendations are as different as the surgeries and food recommendations. As someone with an extreme Duodenal Switch (75cm common channel/8.9% of intestine), I take 2000 units of calcium citrate with a Vitamine D supplement (by the way, Ca Carbonate is absorbed, just not as efficiently, per medical studies), 11 tablets of Twinlab Allergy Free Vitamin D, 2 tablets of Twinlab Allergy Free Vitamin A and D, and 2 generic multivitamins with minerals. I am also taking, for a short period post op, Ferrous fumarate with ascorbic acid as an iron supplement to correct some post op anemia. It is crucial to take the Vitamin D to help absorb the calcium, and to not take the iron supplement at the same time as the calcium supplement. With following this regime religiously, I have perfect blood studies indicating no calcium loss and no other nutritional problems. Good Luck to you!
   — merri B.