Miss Erin: You are doing great!!! Keep up the good work!!!! , , J.

Sue, How much carbonyl iron and Vitamin C are you taking each day? Are you taking all your iron at one time? I am glad that you are going to a hematologist. I take my iron and C first thing when I get up in the morning and take no food, drink or anything for 2 hours excep****er. Lynn J., lap RNY 9/29/04 -105 lbs

Hi, Sandy! Please go by what your doctor or nutritionist advises!!! I just recently put in a message to my own surgeon's office regarding his instructions. I'm supposed to take a total of 4 calcium supplements a day---but the number of milligrams aren't listed!!! Our bodies have been altered but a "normal" person can only absorb about 600 mg at time of calcium. As far as the Ranitidine (also known as zantac) I couldn't find where it would cause absorption problems. Here's a thought for us all to think about....Sandy, perhaps your doctor prescribes your supplements this way for a reason. We may may not absorb ALL the iron or calcium if it's taken together but surely SOME it will?? And I'm no expert, believe me!!!! Nutrition and vitamins are like trying to learn chemistry! I wish there was a self-help book "Nutrition/Vitamins for RNY Dummies"! I'd buy one for home AND work!!! Sue--thanks for the reminder about coffee!!!! I had gotten into the habit of taking my mulitvitamin with my decaf in the morning! I thought I was being a good girl not doing caffeine. Hmmmmmmmmm.... Life is good. Isn't it wonderful spending our time, thoughts and energy on ways to be MORE healthy instead of what we were doing a year ago??? Beth

My doctor must have the most comprehensive program ever. We get a book with everything in it that we should know. We have to see the nutritionist 4 times in our first year. This is what my bible says about supplements. 1. multi vitiman-once a day(adult multivitamin) They also suggest vista vitamins or bariatric advantage. They are made specifically for us. I take bariatric advantage. They are chewable and orange flavored. 2.Calcium-1500mg per day calcium citrate. 3. Iron-ferrous citrate-90mg per day. (slo-fe)It is gentler to your GI system. Do Not take Iron and Calcium together. Take them at least 4 hours apart. Do not take with tea, coffee or cola(which we are allowed anyway) This goes for all vits and minerals. 4.B12-500mcg sublingual(under your tongue as they are better absorbed. 5. Protein-at least 64 grams a day. I usually get at least 100 grams of protein a day. I drink Unjury chocolate with skim milk. I also take biotin every day. my hair has never fallen out. Least not any more than usual

This has always been my concern. I take my Tums (carbonate which I always said I wanted to take the citrate but my nutritionist said that the TUMS is OK....)1 in the AM, then I drink for an hour, take 1 multivitamin a day, I wait about an hour or two then I take my second tums. I think I am going to switch to calcium citrate once my TUMS are gone. I have been debating this off and on and both my nutritionist as well as my surgeon say that the TUMS is OK. But I will take the calcium citrate instead. What do you take for your Calcium citrate?? I am so paranoid about not getting enough vitamins, B12 (which I also take ama once a day), and the correct calcium. I also have to take 1 Prilosec a day as well. I don't know if I am coming or going sometimes and its very frustrating. But please keep us posted Sue. Erin