Take your vitamins and supplements. This is non-negotiable

This was discussed in another thread, but I think it got buried so some people may have missed this point.

Take your vitamins and supplements. This is non-negotiable. Many have died from not doing so. Why anyone would risk this or argue about doing this always confuses me.

We all took a huge step to have surgery and change our anatomy. The promise we made to always take our vitamins was part of the deal.

When we make bad choices and do not take care of ourselves, our loved ones are forced to deal with the consequences. They will have to be our caregivers or have to make our funeral arrangements, which honestly, is not fair to them. It is not right to purposely make bad choices that will ultimately affect them. It just isn't.

Stop making excuses and do it.

My fathers wife had RNY approx 15 years ago. She has been non compliant with vitamins and eating. She literally has no teeth, severely anemic and is bald. She has gained back all her weight and is still an insulin dependent diabetic. According to her, she only eats celery. Her excuse is that her doctor never told her that she had to take vitamins.

So yes, take your vitamins!! Protein first always and remember this surgery only operates on our stomach, not our heads! This surgery is an amazing gift of health, take it serious.

I read this and just remembered I had 2 calciums chews in my pocket. Thanks!

I second Laura's mandate! I am 4.5 years out and was pretty lax about bloodwork and "mostly" took my vitamins and tried patches without testing if they were working...well, I am currently going in for bi-weekly iron infusions that cost god knows how much over the $60 copay for each visit, feeling exhausted, and completely off of my workout routine. It's important to not only get your blood work done, but to also track CHANGES over time. I am using this incredible spreadsheet that Sparkle Kitty Julie provided - it's a lifesaver. You can download it here.

What Laura said x100. I have never understood why people don't take their vitamins. Of all the tough things we have to do in life, this is not one of them. Do not be stupid. Take your vitamins!

Agreed, and I'm going to second the mandate that you track your levels and trends. You MUST be your own advocate and don't take your doctor's word that your levels are "fine." Your levels can still be in the "fine" range, but if you're trending downward it will be much easier to correct if you notice the decline early. Track your levels, understand what they mean, and don't hesitate to bring up any concerns to your team.

Those of us who are a few years out and still have our health, hair and teeth all take our vitamins and have regular blood draws to make sure we are in tip top shape.

Don't listen to people who don't take vitamins and are healthy 1, 2 or 3 years out. These are the people who won't be back posting their 5 year "look at me" pictures!

When I die, it won't be from a vitamin deficiency.

Don't be a dick, take your vitamins!

I don't know Citizen Kim personally but I like anybody who says "Don't be a dick, take your vitamins!" I'm going to try to use that in a conversation at some point this weekend.

I want a bumper sticker that says that. ..!! :) LMAO

SELF-SCORING: supplement taking = A, food choosing = B, regaining = C, exercising = D, scoring all A's = F