Question:
I'm a preop so I love this site for many questions I have. But I wondering if you
guys could answer a question I was wondering about. I understand we have to take vitamins for the rest of our lives because we don't absorb nutrients from food as much. But how much of the vitamins and minerals that we take post op are absorbed? Also, why is that some people become lactose intolerant when you haven't been in the past? Thanks for the info. (Hopefully, i'll be on the other side soon!!) Lisa — Lisa H. (posted on January 11, 2003)
January 11, 2003
Lisa - actually I found a possible answer to the lactose intolerance among
post-ops while researching another question a day or so ago:
<p>
http://www.mills-peninsula.org/obesity/now_a.html
<p>
<b>Milk products and your digestion</b>After gastric bypass
surgery, many people have trouble tolerating liquid milk. This is because
milk needs to be curdled in the stomach to be completely digested. The
gastric bypass procedure prevents milk from reaching the main part of the
stomach where curdling would take place. Some people find that non-fat
Lactaid milk is easier to digest. Curdled milk products such as cheese and
yogurt are usually tolerated and contain a high calcium and protein
content.
— John Rushton
January 11, 2003
Soy milk is pretty tasty too and doesn't upset my stomach the way that milk
does now. It is also a good source of protein. It also comes in vanilla
and chocolate flavor. Check the sugar levels in the flavored ones as I
haven't tried them. It's great in cereal and you can bake and cook with it
the same as milk. Good luck and God Bless, Leah
— Leah H.
January 11, 2003
The degree of malabsorption varies from person to person. Some of the
variables include your own body makeup pre-surgery, the amount of intesting
bypassed, and the type and quality of supplements you take. Because these
results are so individual it is very important to have your blood work done
regularly post op and have your doc follow up with you to make sure you
don't get into any trouble with vitamin or mineral deficiency. Typically we
need double the normal dose of a good multivitamin, 1000mg of C, 1000mg of
calcium citrate, and sublingual B12. I find it funny that I now take more
supplements than prescription drugs---lots more!
— phoebe
January 11, 2003
Michelle Curran at www.vitalady.com will be glad to answer any questions
about vitamins and how we absorb them for you. Doesn't cost a thing to ask
— Delores S.
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