"Bariatric" Vitamins

[jstyler3b 0]

Anyone use the BariatricPal bariatric Multivitamin with Iron? My surgeon's group advises two Multivitamins per day, but I noticed the B12 and the Vitamin A in this version are quite high, so I spoke with three dietitians about it (from two different clinics). Two dietitians (both work at one clinic - where I had my surgery) said it looks good, but to stick to one per day. I showed this label to the dietitian at the clinic where my husband had his surgery (I transferred care there to work with the same dietitian) and she spoke with the pharmacist. They say the Vitamin is missing some essential items (calcium, chloride, and phosphorus) and provides mega doses of others (A and B12). The clinic which is opposed wants me to stick to "their" vitamin regimen as it is the "gold standard" according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I kind of feel like they just want to sell their own product, which is a kit of Vitamins that costs $85 a month... So, I have two people in favor and two opposed.

The vitamin label lists 3,000 mcg of vitamin A, which according to healthline.com is the very top of the adult limit per day as the vitamin is fat soluble and hangs out in our bodies for a long period of time, and can cause serious issues if it reaches toxic levels. Excess B12 is passed through the urine, so I'm not worried about the B12 level.

I plan to ask another pharmacist about the vitamin A levels, but until I've talked to them, does anyone else take the BariatricPal bariatric multivitamin? What have your dietitians and pharmacists said about it?

[AJ Tylo 1,399]

This Vitamin thing is a pain in the ass - I consider myself a master of this and what you said above is exactly correct -

Key is to get balanced out and for me as you can see it takes me mixing and adding Vitamins to the multi vitamin.

I use fusion once daily but supplement the others with GNC 50 plus powder, Plus liquid vitamins. It took me a long time and many blood tests to get my program. I do not take all of these daily Some i only take once a week,

[CammyC 291]

You’ve got quite an arsenal there @AJ Tylo. I hope to become a guru like you!

[GreenTealael 25,430]

16 minutes ago, AJ Tylo said:

This Vitamin thing is a pain in the ass - I consider myself a master of this and what you said above is exactly correct -

Key is to get balanced out and for me as you can see it takes me mixing and adding Vitamins to the multi Vitamin.

I use fusion once daily but supplement the others with GNC 50 plus powder, Plus liquid vitamins. It took me a long time and many blood tests to get my program. I do not take all of these daily Some i only take once a week,

What is the machine in the photo?

[AJ Tylo 1,399]

Its a Hero Pill dispenser - Piece of junk do not buy it Breaks all the time The square day pill box is the best

[GreenTealael 25,430]

45 minutes ago, AJ Tylo said:

Its a Hero Pill dispenser - Piece of junk do not buy it Breaks all the time The square day pill box is the best

I have the same one

[AZhiker 2,253]

I keep it simple. I use the Bariatric Pal multi with Iron - 1 per day, along with an extra B-12. That is with Breakfast. With yogurt fruit bowl in the evening, I take calcium citrate and Vit D3. That's it. It's economical and my levels are fine.

I think you need to just stick to a routine for at least a few months and then see how your levels are.

[Uomograsso 364]

Calcium will block the absorption of Iron. That is why multivitamins with iron have zero calcium. My nutritionist drilled into our class that you need to wait two hours between taking iron and calcium. Follow the ASBMS guidelines for Vitamins .

Edited March 10, 2020 by Uomograsso

[jstyler3b 0]

3 hours ago, AZhiker said:

I keep it simple. I use the Bariatric Pal multi with Iron - 1 per day, along with an extra B-12. That is with Breakfast. With yogurt fruit bowl in the evening, I take calcium citrate and Vit D3. That's it. It's economical and my levels are fine.

I think you need to just stick to a routine for at least a few months and then see how your levels are.

Thank you. Right now I'm just using the BP Bariatric Multi with Iron (first thing in the morning) and a supplemental Calcium at dinner and bedtime to hit the recommended 1200 mg of calcium a day. I was just surprised my dietitian disapproved the bariatric Vitamin I selected. I've conferred with my physician, too, and he is also satisfied with this vitamin choice.

1 hour ago, Uomograsso said:

Calcium will block the absorption of Iron. That is why multivitamins with iron have zero calcium. My nutritionist drilled into our class that you need to wait two hours between taking iron and calcium. Follow the ASBMS guidelines for Vitamins .

Based on this graphic the vitamin I selected from BP is perfect. Thank you for sharing this. I'm not going to sweat it.

Thanks so much,everyone!! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

[summerset 5,265]

I wouldn't supplement Iron regularly without knowing if it's really necessary. Many patients go for iron free multi and add iron if necessary or switch temporarily.

[jstyler3b 0]

3 minutes ago, summerset said:

I wouldn't supplement Iron regularly without knowing if it's really necessary. Many patients go for Iron free multi and add iron if necessary or switch temporarily.

My iron is low as determined by blood tests. I have learned there are like 5 or 6 things to look at on the CBC test to determine nutritional anemia and each one of mine has been out of range since right before surgery. I discovered it when my hemoglobin was too low to donate blood. I'm hopeful that it's just a temporary thing and that someday I'll be able to eliminate the iron.

[summerset 5,265]

If you know you're low in Iron you should of course take a supplement for it.

[Krestel 330]

I misunderstood one of the notes about taking my Vitamins after my surgery and mistakenly took a double dose of Iron which led to severe Constipation and black poo! Nothing serious, but it was a pain in the ass. hehe ...oops

[CammyC 291]

@Krestel a literal pain in the ass 😂

[AZhiker 2,253]

Be sure to use calcium citrate, not Calcium carbonate.