I can attest first hand to the importance of vitamins after WLS. I have neglected my bloodwork, vits, etc and I am now paying for it SEVERELY! I'm in a situation right now where my docs (back surgeon, PCP, OB/GYN etc) are all telling me that I'm actually underweight for my frame and severely malnourished. That's three different doctors all telling me the exact same thing! They said that I should have stopped at around 165-175 pounds (which according to the BMI charts would have put me at still slightly overweight at 5 feet 8 inches tall) however, I became obsessed with the numbers and I'm down to 152 pounds now (it is estimated that 10-15 pounds of that is nothing but excess skin which has no value added to my body) and I'm paying for it. I'm working on it now, but in the past several months, I've been hospitalized with dehydration, had multiple health issues with malnutrition, heart issues, neurological issues, multiple female issues and I've basically wrecked havoc on my body which is thanking me by trying to shut down my kidneys, eating my muscles, etc. This is my own fault and stupidity. I have been exhibiting all of the sign of vitamin deficiencies for months now, however, I didn't go to have some blood work done until last week (see post below titled "Lurker.....need help". My symptoms have included EXTREME (and I do emphasize EXTREME) fatigue, muscle weakness, skin rashes on my hands and face, 'tingling' sensation in my brain, faint feeling constantly, leg cramps with muscle twitches (think I waited for there to be enough symptoms before I decide to act ?). I now know that the little blood work that I had done was atrocious. I would hate to see a complete and full blood workup on myself right now. Everything is either running in the minimum range or lower except for my creatinine. The high creatinine level indicates damage to or swelling of blood vessels in the kidneys caused by dehydration and lack of nutrition. Please Maysters, I beg you. Take your vitamins RELIGIOUSLY. Have your labs done RELIGIOUSLY. If not for your own sake, for the sake of those around you that depend on you. Things could be a lot worse for me right now. I'm just lucky that I have hopefully caught things in time. It was a major wakeup call for me that I wanted to share with all of you before you get the same call. WLS was the best thing that ever happened for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat, however, it takes a lot of work on our part to not just lose the weight and look great, but to be healthy too. I got so wrapped up in the looking good part during the last few months that I forgot that I had this surgery to get healthy. Who is going to see how good I look if I'm six feet under? Sorry if this is harsh and negative. I just love all of my fellow WLS friends (especially all my Maysters) too much to let this one slide by without comment. Heather

I hear you Candy. I'm not even slightly interested in a bagel now!!! haha I found a great tortilla that I make my qusidillas with. Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas Multi Grain Low in Carbs 1 tortilla Cals 100 Total Carbs 13 g Dietary Fiber 8 g Sugars 1 g Protein 7 g I love the 5 net carbs!!! And they taste great. I found them at WalMart in the bread isle. $2.94 for 10 tortillas Laurie

Am-water and 1st dose of vits pre breakfast-worldwide banana creme rtd breakfast-2 turkey sausage patties and 1 egg

The weekend wasn't the greatest diet-wise. Somehow, a sugar free pumpkin pie made its way into the house. Not good.... Anyway, it's a new week and the perfect time to get back in the saddle. AM - cup of coffee, 2 cups of hot tea B - Atkins protein shake and an apple L - grilled chicken over a tossed salad, strawberries S - probably a bowl of cereal D - Gotta finish off the last of the grilled chicken, so I'll probably have it in a wrap with some baby carrots on the side. S/f popsickle. NO FOOD AFTER DINNER!!!! Meds and vits - all done except p.m. calcium Liquids - about 40 ounces down so far, but it's all been caffeinated beverages Exercise - 45 minutes of high-impact cardio (the knees feel pretty good today so I think they can handle the jumping) followed by lower body toning.

So, how'd it go? I hope you had an enjoyable time! I still can't find a date. I haven't tried the internet - too chicken. My friend keeps threatening to secretly create a profile for me on some dating site!