Perscriptions and Vitamins

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning on having VSG done in the near future. In my information session earlier this week, I learned that VSG patients will be required to take the same vitamins as RNY patients. That's a lot of vitamins! I imagine it can get quite expense. So my questions are:

1. Are any/all of your vitamins covered by perscription?

2. How much do you pay for vitamins on average per month?

3. Do the vitamin dosages decrease as time goes on?

 

I don't like taking pills. Can't even swallow. But I dislike being obese and unhealthy even more so I guess I'll have to deal with it.

Thanks a lot!

Take a look at the cornel university sleeve guide online.
We VSG patients do not take the same amount of vitamins as RNY folks. That is one reason I did not have a malabsorption type surgery.
I take 2 multivitamins 2 calcium citrate 1 b12 (2x a week) 1 iron (I was anemic before vsg)

I get vitamins at CVS or Wal Mart. Not expensive.

Thank you! I was very concerned about this.

The surgeon I visited puts VSGers on the same vitamins as RNYers. I'm not sure if it's just easier or they are being extra cautious but I feel bad going into it know that I'm not going to follow their instructions. But I will take vits per labs. If that makes sense.

taking vits according to your labs is definitely what you should do. it is helpful to start a spread sheet where you are able to track your labs from the get go looking for downward trends. then you can supplement accordingly.

 

Most insurances won't cover the cost of vitamins  since they are readily available over the counter. Like they won't cover Motrin or Tylenol. The best you might do is get your surgeon to give you a letter stating they are medically necessary and you might be able to deduct the cost from your income tax.

GL

Great idea! Unfortunately, medical expenses have to exceed 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income. (I'm an Accountant with a small tax business). But that is a good idea in case I have other out of pocket expenses. Prayerfully, I won't have to spend that much.

So how would I go about taking vitamins according to my labs? Would I start out with what they suggest and then alter based on my first set of labwork?

Unfortunately, many surgeons programs and nutritionists have a generic "wls instruction" document and don't bother to differentiate between the different procedures.  We DSers are good at sharing information between each other, otherwise we'd be malnourished raisins listening to the majority of these so-called medical professionals.  YES, adjusting by your labwork is best.

That sucks. Hopefully that will improve now that VSG is becoming so popular and may people choose it because they aren't required to take so many vitamins. It was really irritating to see that they expect me to take the same amount as someone that has RNY. I figure at the very least, they won't hurt but who wants to take extra?

I see how knowledgeable and helpful everyone here is. I'm happy to have found this forum.

I would also visit more than 1 surgeon. Some doctors have limited experience with the VSG and they lump the two together.

There were things I found about my plan-diet wise that I was not fond of. I tweaked some things and got to goal successfully. I have no qualms about disagreeing w doctors.

Hi Crabadams72,

Great idea! I will do just that. I'll most likely have to have my surgery with one of the doctors from the hospital I work for. There are tons but I'm very interested in what other doctors outside of the health system are prescribing vitamin-wise for VSG patients.