Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Has anyone else had trouble finding Vitamins with the exact specifications your surgeon tells you to take?

I'm supposed to take a chewable or liquid Multivitamin that has 400mcg Folic Acid, 15mg Zinc, and 18mg Iron. And then I'm supposed to take a double dose.

All of the chewables I'm finding have already doubled up on the Folic Acid, but the Zinc and Iron are too low! Should I just supplement the iron?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure why you need that. You don't need any special Vitamins with the gastric sleeve as it does not produce malabsorption like other bariatric surgeries do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure why you need that. You don't need any special Vitamins with the gastric sleeve as it does not produce malabsorption like other bariatric surgeries do.

You still likely need to take Vitamins because the amount of food you can eat is restricted and since you are putting Protein first, you aren't likely getting as many nutrients from fruits and vegetables. I personally eat pretty much ZERO fruits and vegetables, so I am religious about taking my bariatric multi-Vitamin twice a day! Fortunately, my surgeon never required me to do a liquid or chewable. I have been taking capsules since 7 days post-op.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Has anyone else had trouble finding Vitamins with the exact specifications your surgeon tells you to take?

I'm supposed to take a chewable or liquid Multivitamin that has 400mcg Folic Acid, 15mg Zinc, and 18mg Iron. And then I'm supposed to take a double dose.

All of the chewables I'm finding have already doubled up on the Folic Acid, but the Zinc and Iron are too low! Should I just supplement the iron?

I was prescribed folic acid (I think) and I got the rest of my Vitamins through drugstore.com.

Try taking your list to your local

Pharmacy and ask your pharmacist to help you find the vitamins that meet your requirements.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure why you need that. You don't need any special Vitamins with the gastric sleeve as it does not produce malabsorption like other bariatric surgeries do.

Yes it does to some extent. We can no longer absorb oral B12 because the portion of the stomach that produces the intrinsic factor required for absorption is removed. We have to take sublingual or injectable B12. And studies on gastrectomy patients show that up to 90% will develop deficiencies within 5-10 years without appropriate supplementation.. The most common deficiencies seen are Iron, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Calcium, folate and zinc.

But it is not a one size fits all. Our individual metabolisms, activity types, and diets are all different so bloodwork every 6-12 months to monitor levels is recommended. For example, my ferritin always comes back high so I haven't taken Iron supplements for 2 years.

As for Vitamins, I don't take any special bariatric brand....

Vitamin code for women 50+ (because it does not contain iron) multivitamin daily

Vitamin Code Raw D3 5,000IU 4x week

My Kind Organic Plant Calcium 3x day (we can only absorb just so much calcium at a time so taking the full daily dose all at once would be a waste)

Source Naturals Methylcobalamin B12 1mg 3x week.

But again, vitamin regimens are very individual and should be adjusted based on your bloodwork.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've had trouble finding multivitamins with Iron in the store, so I'm stuck with Flinstones

You can always get a separate iron supplement. It may be best to do that anyways, cause you want to take iron separate from any Calcium because they interfere with absorption.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Should I just supplement the Iron?

Yes. And like I just mentioned, take it separate from any Calcium. And monitor your levels at least annual (forever) so you can make any necessary adjustments.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Has anyone else had trouble finding Vitamins with the exact specifications your surgeon tells you to take?

I'm supposed to take a chewable or liquid multivitamin that has 400mcg Folic Acid, 15mg Zinc, and 18mg Iron. And then I'm supposed to take a double dose.

All of the chewables I'm finding have already doubled up on the Folic Acid, but the Zinc and Iron are too low! Should I just supplement the iron?

Try bariatric fusion this is a Vitamin and mineral I use with all my required nutrients in it

Sent from my SM-N910P using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the suggestion, but it doesn't have what my doctor told me I needed (no folic acid, not enough zinc/iron). I found Celebrate Vitamins, which I think will do the trick. They're just a bit on the expensive side.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my nutritionist recommended Centrum adult chewable complete (not the gummi version). I couldn't find it in local drugstores/walmart (only the adult gummies and regular big tablets) so I ordered on Amazon. I found it to be reasonably priced. I had also looked at the Celebrate Vitamins as well and ended up ordering the chewable calcium/vit d supplement of that brand.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was told to take twice a day one under 50 Centrum (or generic) for a Multivitamin once I was about 14 days out. I break the generic ones in half and take it in the morning with BP med and Biotin.

3-4 hrs later I take a generic Citracal Calcium citrate w/D3 (petites, which are still huge). I take a second one about another 3-4 hrs later.

Before I go to bed I take another generic multivitamin and I just recently started add B1 because my BW showed it was a little low (that was my idea and doctor was ok with doing that until we get next round of BW in about 3 months).

The extra Iron caused bathroom problems :blink:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Kindle I take mine several hours apart, that is one thing the nut stressed. It's weird because my mom had WLS at a diff program and they never mentioned that to her, which might explain why she was Iron deficient a year after

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

delete dup post, sorry.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Goyafigs

      I had VSG 11.20.24 with Miguel Burch, MD Cedars-Sinai and I am 1 month post-op. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • DaisyChainOz

      🥳 Jan 1 2025 - Day 1 of Pre Op, surgery on the 16th! 😬😅
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×