Just HOW many pills do we have to take?

[Truckerchic 171]

Biotin is said to help prevent hair loss...it is also in most Multivitamins and some people chose to take an additional supplement

[pear425 32]

My answer to your question is completely different then the others. First I should say I had RNY in 2005 and did fine until 2009 when I started to regain weight. I am now having revision surgery.

I work very closely with my nut who specializes in bariatric nutrition and has a focus on Vitamin deficiency. She has taught me that in the last few years research has proven that the Vitamins that we all think of like Centrum, Citracal etc... are not effective for us because we do not absorb them at all, hence we don't get the benefit from them. This makes very good sense since the reason we lose weight in addition to pouch is because of the malabsorption of calories, fats etc... If we don't absorb food nutrients we aren't going to absorb the Vitamins.

Check out the company Bariatric Advantage. They are the leaders. I understand you are very concerned about the cost and these vitamins are not cheap and you must take vitamins for the rest of your life (the doctors aren't just saying that!) Before meeting my current nut I was taking Centrum, citracal, Iron complete from GNC, and sublingal b-12. After getting my blood work it was revealed I have some severe Vitamin deficiencies Especially Vit D which has caused some damage that can't be reversed.

I don't mean to sound scary or anything. This is just my personal experience and as I have learned throughout the years is that every surgeon has different standards/practices and requirements for their patients. I always believe in following the directions given by your own doctor but please research what they are saying and asked about bariatric specific vitamins.

[terry1118 1,274]

terry' date=' Thanks for the list, it was very helpful. I recognize those Vitamins and I think I could pull that off. Why do you use Biotin? Does dry mouth occur frequently in RNY patients? I see it mentioned often. * About that DD, I'm a major addict, shamefully to say. I don't eat their products, but I drink a lot of the Lg. Iced coffee with five shots of mocha, two cream and 8 sugars. And I drink four a day, Decaf. We don't have to pay for them, we're hooked up. I know, that's massive atrocity. I MFP'd them and the results were/are damaging, I'm a food addict, but more so a sugary drink addict. And I see that that's gonna have to stop, period. I've always wanted to be a Water drinker, but I hate plain Water. Someone once told me to put lemon or lime in the water, apparently there's a bunch of great reasons to drink lime water. Oh my do I have an internal crisis when I drink only water. Oh, and I can't use artificial sweeteners for medical reasons.[/quote']

Biotin is supposed to be good for maintaining hair health and preventing Hair loss. Some people swear by it, others say it makes no difference. I figured it couldn't hurt and started taking it six weeks before surgery.

I only get dry mouth when I'm mildly dehydrated. Getting all your fluids definitely helps.

Some surgeons say no coffee, some allow it. Mine says no for six months - he says it's dehydrating, it's harsh and irritating to your healing pouch, and it could possibly contribute to ulcers in the early post-op months. Cream or half&half are high fat and high calorie. Sugar is empty calorie and can cause dumping, making you feel very sick. If your surgeon allows coffee you'll need to make some changes in how you drink it - I'm sure he won't allow cream and sugar. Can you have a natural sugar-free sweetener like Stevia?

Bonus from giving up coffee - I now sleep through the night w/o needing sleep aids for the first time in 30 years. :-)

[meyouus 415]

Wow, some pretty potent information there! That is what I'm looking for, different or I guess as well, similar experiences with Vitamins and supplements. You know, so I can be better prepared for when the time comes near. I still have an unfilled band so my time for RNY could be a year away for all I know. I just see RNY being a much major surgery and lifestyle change for ME. So, I study, ask, listen, learn. Everybody on here has been so helpful! * Oops! I was thinking Biotin was a dry mouth med. Yeah, I lost hair when I had my knee's replaced, I can only assume it'll happen again. * While the reason why I don't take heed to all the evidence against it, I continue to drink those DD Decaf Iced Coffee's. My surgeon (when I was active in my recovery) had no problem with black decaf. As far as it hurting the newborn pouch , I totally get that. But really, I'm so new to even entertaining a thought about caring about myself, not hating the me I grew up to be (yes, I'm deep into therapy and will not do RNY until that drastically changes and in some ways it has) the idea of giving up my DD's, no pun intended but it would be funny, makes little sense in the scheme of things as they stand NOW. Granted, it will change, just need to care about my psyche first. And I'm pretty hot on that trail. * Sorry, I went off on to a new subject haven't I. Got a lot on my mind.

[Jacqueline K 93]

Thanks SoccerMomma' date=' Do you have to go anywhere in particular for the shot? * Do you have to pay for a visit AND the shot? Just being nosey. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I prefer the shot as it's once a month instead of another pill every day! My doc wrote a prescription for the injection- just picked it up at walgreens and bought needles. The one bottle of the liquid was about $7 with my insurance and lasts 10 months. I have my sister inject me once a month. As simple as that.

I take 2 stool softeners a day

2 bariatric multi Vitamins

Iron

3 calcium citrate

Prilosec

Take Miralax as needed too as Constipation is a killer after RNY

I have a couple other things I take like birth control and anxiety meds but the above list is all because of the bypass.

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[monola 19]

How soon after surgery did you start taking the stool softeners?

[monola 19]

How soon after surgery did you start taking the stool softeners?

Do they come in chewable?

[Jacqueline K 93]

Do they come in chewable?

My doc allowed pills the size of m&ms right after surgery. My Vitamins are chewable but small stool softeners aren't. Not sure if they come that way but I'm sure you could find some. Miralax works well and dissolves in liquid so that could work too.

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[meyouus 415]

I have to take many pills now, one is large. Do you have to crush or split any of your meds post-op?

[lisalisalisa 54]

Wow you guys take a lot of pills Lol. I take less than ever since my surgery. I'm not sure why you guys take over the counter Vitamins but i was told to take the bariatric Vitamin, chewable, four times a day and that it had all the vitamins i would need. Since surgery i no longer need my two blood pressure meds or my reflux meds at all.

[staceyd 25]

Polly... I would check w your dr first. Then when you get the list. Try and look for coupons for them. Cvs has deals on their Vitamins Bogo free. Idk if they come in chewable or Gummy. It's worth a shot. Write to the companies and ask for coupons or free samples, get on Facebook and search for the companies wall. Sometimes they have free sample or coupon print outs. I know feel. I'm in the same boat. Every penny counts!

[monola 19]

Lisa, I am wondering about blood pressure pills. I am on 2. I can understand that after surgery and I lose weight that my pressure will go down but ... Why would it go down immediately following surgery? I am scared to stop taking them. What did your doctor tell you so I can ask my doctor.

[lisalisalisa 54]

My doctor told me to monitor my blood pressure at h one, if its high take the pills if not don't. If you don't have a blood pressure machine get one, they aren't expensive. Both the surgeon and my general doctor told me to monitor blood pressure after the surgery.

[u-no-it 28]

Sounds like the stool softener is something that is a need? Gosh I hope not! I have issues now.. lol. I usually have no problems and to hear that there might be is not very positive sounding... I hope it goes well. I have issues with Iron and am hoping that this is not necessarily a requirement. Oh well, the price one has to do to make sure that one is healthy..

[Jacqueline K 93]

Sounds like the stool softener is something that is a need? Gosh I hope not! I have issues now.. lol. I usually have no problems and to hear that there might be is not very positive sounding... I hope it goes well. I have issues with Iron and am hoping that this is not necessarily a requirement. Oh well' date=' the price one has to do to make sure that one is healthy..[/quote']

My doc requires Iron for everyone anyway so you'll probably need even extra.

Constipation is a huge issue post op for most of us. I take 2 colace every night and still have bad problems. I also take miralax a few times a week. The miralax is the most helpful for me I think. Not sure the colace is really doing anything but I keep taking them just in case!

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