B12 Question

September 5, 2004

I am having surgery Sept 23rd. Have been reading alot here and also on Obesityhelp.com, my question is about B12.< /p>

I have read that Sooooo many are taking the shots, is this required? What is it about the B12 that is so important? Can b12 pills replace the shot? Any replies are greatly appricated.

Thank you!

Alexandra · September 5, 2004

Hi Debi,

My doctor doesn't make any recommendations about B12 in particular, but does say a Multivitamin is important daily. When I had my one-year checkup two weeks ago it turned out that I was actually deficient in a B Vitamin, but it was B1. Go figure; all my other levels were good.

So now I'm taking a B-complex supplement in addition to my daily Multivitamin. And if I were being honest with myself, I'd admit that in the two months prior to that checkup, I'd missed the daily multivitamin at least two out of every three days. So I think if I hadn't done that, there would have been no problem with my Vitamin levels.

Check with a nutritionist, but IMO a good multivitamin would be fine if you take it each and every day.

Janie Jackson · September 5, 2004

Hi Debi... I take a B- Complex orally. I think I am fine. I also take 2 chewable vitamins that I forget frequently. The first month after surgery I felt tired but now I am fine...Janie

Alexandra · September 5, 2004

BTW, it occurs to me that you might have been seeing bypass patients discussing B12 shots. It's much more important if you have the bypass to take supplements, and for some reason B12 *shots* are often recommended. I've never heard of a doctor instructing a band patient to take B12 shots or even any specific supplementation other than a multivitamin.

leatha_g · September 7, 2004

Makes sense to me that if you have enough, you don't need more. ??

Then, my past experience is such that my insurance would not pay for them. They are considered elective.

They do however, boost energy etc. Sorta..

Just FYI

Leatha

September 7, 2004

Thank you all for your replies. I think mostly the people I have read that have them are RNY patients. I just didn't want to have to take them if I didnt have to I hate shots hahah! Hopefully I can just stick with my chewy flintstones

claraluz · September 8, 2004

Bypass patients have to take either B-12 shots or a sublingual (under the tongue) form of B-12 because the part of the stomach in which B-12 is absorbed is by-passed. No amount of oral B-12 will get into thier system. One of the advantages of the band over the bypass is that nothing is bypassed, ergo all nutrients are absorbed the same way they always were. I take a chewable multi-Vitamin but nothing more. Hope this helps.

Nancy

flipman416 · October 22, 2008

Hi Debi,
My doctor doesn't make any recommendations about B12 in particular, but does say a Multivitamin is important daily. When I had my one-year checkup two weeks ago it turned out that I was actually deficient in a B Vitamin, but it was B1. Go figure; all my other levels were good.

So now I'm taking a B-complex supplement in addition to my daily multivitamin. And if I were being honest with myself, I'd admit that in the two months prior to that checkup, I'd missed the daily multivitamin at least two out of every three days. So I think if I hadn't done that, there would have been no problem with my Vitamin levels.

Check with a nutritionist, but IMO a good multivitamin would be fine if you take it each and every day.

Reading some of this posts I am learning quite a bit, but as a newbie myself with all this information and from my own research. I heard that not all multis are created equal lol. that some that are meant for the general public can actualy cause defficiencies. Thats a scary thought.