Hi Sandy, Beth does seem to know alot, as does Lynn I believe, so jump in here ladies! As far as your question goes, I know nothing about biotin, but I know that the acid reducer definitely needs to be kept away from your iron sups also, because iron supplements need acid to be absorbed properly. I think the calcium is ok between meals, away from the multi or the iron.. Those of you taking calcium carbonate, from what I keep reading, you really should reconsider and take the calcium citrate. I've read that we don't have enough stomach acid to properly absorb the carbonate and believe me, it's awfully late once you find this out the hard way. One more thing, to clarify from my earlier post, it's the iron SUPPEMENTS that are not well absorbed, dietary iron from MEAT, {called heme} IS absorbed without the same concerns, and in fact aids the absorption of non-heme iron found in supplements, veggies and supplemented grains. Just wanted to add that. Thanks for the good wishes Sandy and Erin, I know I'll be ok, just impatient to be back up to 100% Love, Sue

Sandy We are on the same wavelength! I started my iron post at the same time as you, got distracted, came and finished typing it and saw that you had posted on the same topic in the meantime! I'm glad you're doing well on your iron regime. Apparently Ferrous Sulfate is the bad one for us, {I've heard it called a pouch burner} Ferrous fumarate I think is ok as long as you tolerate it and your levels stay good. As far as taking it with vitamin c, a good way to remember is to think of iron and vitamin c being on a honeymoon. THey should be together, but apart from everything else. The c aids absorbtion, but most other things hinder the absobtion of the iron. Till I go to the hemotologist, i'm on carbonyl iron as of this week with vit. c taken at the same time, 2 hours apart from anything else, except pure protein such as meat, which actually aids in the absorption of the iron... PHEW! so much to remember! But I am tolerating it well. At least your doc told you to take iron in anticipation of this, I was not advised about it. Keep up the good work! ~Sue

Hi gang I hope you are all doing well! I thought I was doing pretty good until I found out about the low iron thing that I told you about a week or two ago. I'm in the position of trying to correct a pretty serious iron deficiency that I feel I could have been better advised about preventing. It is looking like I now need to get some I.V. iron infusions to get my levels to where they need to be. Not only has it been affecting my energy level and causing symptoms, but now I don't feel safe to go to the gym and really push myself until this is corrected. I don't want to damage my heart, etc. On the other hand, I don't want to stall out my weight loss because I have to get out of my exercise routine. There is so much conflicting info out there on all this stuff, several kinds of iron, calcium etc. I knew that I was supposed to take my vitamins, calcium and b-12, and get enough protein. But it is far more complicated than that. There is so much to learn about post-op nutrition, and if you think it wont affect you, then I want to just alarm you all a little bit to stay on top of things yourself and don't wait for a problem to be uncovered to find out that you were doing it wrong all along. I'll post again soon with a list of nutritional things I've learned recently. Some of you probably do know all of this, but I was shocked how much I didn't know with as much as I read about wls. For example, many people avoid caffeine, but did you know it's the tannins in coffee and tea, not the caffeine, that can prevent you from absorbing iron? {decaf still has the tannins} Did you know that an innocent little bran muffin can keep you from absorbing iron? Or any dairy? We have to space out our iron supplements two hours apart from any of these foods. Not only was I not advised to take iron in the first place, but I had no idea that I was preventing the absorption of what little iron I did get in my diet. By the way, if you are NOT iron deficient, and you take unnecessary iron supplements, you can also cause disease processes to begin in your body, so we have to stay on top of things and not just throw supplements down our throats and assume all is well. Thanks for listening to my rant today guys, I will post more info on this stuff soon. There is so much more info out there. BTW thanks to those who answered to my original post about this, I learned alot from you guys, thanks for sharing your knowledge and concern. love, Sue

I'm pulling Sue......ppppuuuullllilnnnnnggggggg....you can get there, you can do it too....... Unfortunately the only exercise I get is by walking only. I cannot afford a gym and i am unsure what kind of exercise to do at home. I can't find the post people suggested to do at home. Even then trying to squeeze exercise in is hard. I have an active 2 year old and a rambunctious 6 year old (who happens to be sick with that yucky stomach bug...poor kid). The weather has been rainy otherwise, I'd take them out strolling with me. I know, excuses, excuses. I CAN DO IT! I WILL DO IT!! To be in the Century Club will be my greatest achievement I have ever managed (other than giving birth to my children...they are my highest achievement but this will be coming into a very close second) Sorry for babbling. Erin

When Sue B. posted about her low iron a few weeks ago it took me awhile to check to see what I was advised to take. I'm taking one "Vitron C" tablet a day, 200 mg of Ferrous Fumarate and 125 mg of Vitamin C. Doesn't seem to be constipating at all. Is anyone else taking this? Hugs, Sandy 268/164.5/136