Question:
RNY the most important things to do after wls?
I'm trying to do the best thing for my body surgery. Are vitamins, minterals, exercise,etc., enough to keep from being under malnutrient. Is there a time to stop vitamins? — Toby2 (posted on May 17, 2008)
May 16, 2008
You must continue taking vitamins and minerals and make sure you get enough
protein and water for your whole life.... It's not hard really, just take
two adult chewable multi-vitamin supplements per day, (not together, take
one in the morning and one in the evening). Centrum has chewable adult. Or,
3 children's chewables a day. You will also need extra Vitamin B Complex.
GNC sells a liquid B-Complex. You'll also need a Calcium + Vitamin D
chewable twice or 3 times a day. GNC sells a chewable. Our bodies now can
not absorb vitamins and minerals and calcium, etc. so we must supplement
for life. I just keep my 3 bottles handy (multi-vitamin, B-Complex, and
Calcium+D) and take them 2-3 times a day, it's easy. Also, get plenty of
fluids (anything with no sugar, no carbonation, and little or no caffeine).
I personally buy bottled water by the case, each bottle is 16-20 ounces,
and I buy the sugar free drink mix powder that they sell to put in the
water. Crystal Light makes it, as well as store-brands, and Hawaiin Punch.
They come in a box of 10 packets, and you just pour a packet in to the
water bottle and shake it. (I pour a little water out first to make room
for the powdered mix). You need about 64 ounces of water a day, which is
about 4 bottles of water. I also buy sugar-free General Foods International
Coffee. You just mix 4 teaspoons in 8 ounces of hot water for a nice
latte-type coffee. They have flavors like French Vanilla and Suisse Mocha.
You need 70 - 80 grams of protein a day. My Surgeon said protein should be
your first food choice for life. We all need to get our Vitamins, Minerals,
Calcium, Protein, and Water to avoid health problems now, and later in
life...
— Gina S.
May 16, 2008
Correction: I didn't mean to say our bodies can not absorb Vitamins and
Minerals, I meant to say they can not absorb them as well as they could
before surgery. I want to also comment that 1% milk is a good drink, but in
limited quantity because of calories. Juice is in limited quantity too, and
should be watered-down with half water and half juice. Hot or cold
caffeine-free Tea is fine, you can add Splenda or Equal if you want. As for
protein, I but canned tuna and chicken. I find the canned chicken is softer
and easier to digest than chicken I have cooked. I also eat some no sugar
added applesauce, and I personally find it easy to get in vegetables by
eating baby food vegetables. They are 100% natural and taste natural and
good. I buy baby food squash, carrots, peas, and so on... What you eat
depends on the "food stage" your at right now - how long ago you
had your surgery. You will progress in steps through various food stages as
per your Surgeons recommendations...
— Gina S.
May 17, 2008
One of the reasons for RNY is to improve your health. But due to the way
the surgery works, you have to take vitamins and calcium citrate AT
SPECIFIC LEVELS for the rest of your life. These levels of vitmains are at
least 2x the adult RDA and near 2000mg of calcium citrate on a DAILY BASIS.
Failure to do so will lead to possible permanent other health issues, that
may not be reversable. Vitamins and calcium citrate are a part of daily
life after RNY surgery, or any wt loss surgery.
— Dave Chambers
May 17, 2008
Nevalle...
I thought that I didn't need my vitamins and supplements after about two
years. I became lax in taking them daily...and only took them when I
remembered or if I thought about it...I figured that if I can gain weight,
I must be getting in nutrients...I eat at least 5 fruits and veggies every
day! I rarely eat sugar or bread or pasta and rice. So I thought I didn't
need vitamins and that I was doing fine. I felt fine...looked good...then 4
years out I went to the doctor after not taking my iron at all...and my
vits, maybe 3 times a week. I was so low on most of my bodies vitamin
stores. I was so anemic that I was put on bed rest for two months. My doc
was afraid I would have a heart attack or brain failure from lack of oxygen
in my blood. The crazy thing, was, I was trying to lose 3 lbs that I
gained...I felt fine except for muscle cramps and a little dizziness and
maybe feeling a little "lazy"...But AFTER taking high doses of
iron...I realised how sick I really was and was just ignoring all the
symptoms. DON"T MESS WITH YOUR VITAMINS!!!! Take them...I am healing
and no longer anemic, but still deficient...I have to see my doc every two
months for now to see how my levels are. I was lucky...really lucky. If I
had gone much longer in my deficient state, I could have irreversible brain
and heart damage as well as other organ damage from the anemia. I would
have had to have iron infusion therapy or complete blood transfusions to
get my blood making healthy cells again.
I fixed it myself...How? Taking my vitamins and supplements and taking
better care of my health as well as my weight loss management. Everyone
gave you great advice on what to take...so I won't go there. But I will say
that your vit levels must be checked yearly to make sure you are taking the
RIGHT doeses for YOU! Our bodies all heal and compensate for malnutrition
in different ways...but we all malabsorb (RNY and DSers anyway) I don't
know anything about the other surgeries...
— .Anita R.
May 17, 2008
Never stop your wise eating, exercise, water or vitamins. Keep they all up
for success. Back off on your commitment, and choose to go backwards in
your weight loss and maintenance. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
May 18, 2008
I guess I am a very bad example but I had my surgery Oct. 31 of last year
and am now down 90 pounds. I went all of December without losing a pound.
I took my vitamins and kept up with my protein for about the first 2 months
but haven't taken them since. I don't drink my water as I should, I don't
exercise as I should...hardly ever and I most certainly don't eat right. I
don't go over my calories but I'm not eating the high protein foods as I
should. I haven't had any problems with hair falling out, in fact, it's
grown. I know we are to use this as a tool, but I am having a hard time
setting my mind on my new self. I buy those 100 calorie packs and will eat
one for a meal, I am loving fresh fruits now but as I said, I know I'm
doing all of this wrong and yet I am still losing the weight. If anyone
has any suggestions for me, please let me know as you can see, I'm losing
but doing all of this wrong. My biggest fear is that once the hunger comes
back, since I'm not eating right, I'll start eating more and gain back what
I've lost. Just giving an example from the "wrong" side. Smile
— PAWLLA L.
May 18, 2008
vitamins are a lifetime committment. Exercise is important too. Sounds
like you are on the right path!! Best of luck to you.
— bariatricdivalatina
May 19, 2008
GNC makes a product called Womens Ultra Mega which you can get in a powder
form to make a shake. I drink half in the morning and half in the evening.
I like the chocolate flavor haven't tried the Strawberry or Vanilla yet.
According to my nutritionist the only other supplment I have to take is GNC
liquid B complex and an iron supplement which I get Ferrets liquid iron.
— Melanie C.
May 19, 2008
It looks like everyone gave you the answer which is "yes" always.
Remeber to drink plenty of water, just water, so your body flushes out the
yucky stuff too. Best of luck for your WLS post-op experiences.
— sor09
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