Female Going Crazy

I'm with the others.  12-16 pills a day is probably average, some of us take many more than that.   Since some of them can't be taken with others (for instance, you can't take iron with calcium or it's not absorbed), and because you can only absorb so much at one time, you end up having to take them throughout the day.  Most of us take several vitamins 4 times a day. 

THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. WITHOUT THEM, YOU WILL DIE A SLOW, PAINFUL DEATH.  PERIOD.

If you can't truly commit to this, you must not even consider DS.

Another thing that stands out is your reaction to the sleeve.  You realize the sleeve is half of the DS?

Thanks Marie...for your honesty....slow painful death...well not liking that....Much to think about....and I can not act out of desperation.
Interesting....the sleeve is half a DS.....
By the way cute dog....

Hi Susan, nice to meet you. 

In my former pre-surgery life, I was pretty iffy about vitamins, I took them when I remembered or when my family would badger me about them (thanks mom!).  But, when I committed myself to the DS, I committed myself to the vitamins.  For me it's now not even something I think too much about, it's a habit.  It's not hard.  I have a pill organizer, I fill it up every Sunday morning (just finished doing this), and I take them with my morning and evening meals.  I also take some during the day (calcium), which is the hardest for me to remember when I'm at work and busy.  This is so improtant to me, because I did the surgery to be healthy, not skinny and malnurished.  Don't get me wrong, it's awesome to buy clothes from just about anywhere, and to move easier and feel more confident.  But I want to be healthy, more than anything.  

I hope you find some answers to your situation.  Do try to give yourself a break though.  We all have been in your shoes, to some degree.  It sucks not feeling like you have control over your body.  Hang in there.  *hugs*

As far as the vitamin issue, I don't mind taking them, better than having to take pills for diabetes, off all 3 at 6 months after DS, off high cholesterol, off immediately after surgery, off high blood pressure, off immediately. I still take prescription meds for sleep and for acid reflux, and for my restless leg syndrome, but for the most part, vitamins, and for that I am losing weight and feeling better. As far as the knee pain, I have a medial meniscal tear and after losing 58 pounds, I still have the pain and I still have back pain from a herniated disc/spinal stenosis, so the surgery will not get rid of all pain necessarily, but oh my God, I feel better because I do look better, and that is a great feeling, ya know?

Now, as for the sleeve option, a lot of people are choosing that and it works for many. You do know the sleeve is the first part of the DS (only thing as a stand-alone, the sleeve is made bigger I believe). That is not reversible, but the other part, re-routing of the intestines is reversible if really necessary. The common channel can be made longer or shorter as the case may be. If you really want to lose that weight and keep it off easier, deal with the vitamins. Just have to set your mind to it. Many have gone from band to DS and are thrilled with the results. Read the "revision" board or the "failed weight loss" surgery board to see all who have gotten revisions if you have not checked out those forums yet. I wish you well.
Karen

Thanks for the support Karen. I take Crestor 1x daily....and I remember to do that....well in the previous post from Darlene...she stated that the vitamin commitment is 4-8 pills 3-4 times daily.....Is this the same for you?

Hi Susan, I'm a Susan too. I saw your question about when you get old what happens. Mind you I havent had surgery yet, but have commited to getting it asap. I posed the same exact question to my husband. Then I took the time to think about it and told him , you know what???? I'm not having this surgery so I can enjoy being thin when I'm 70 or 80, I'm having it to enjoy being thin NOW!! I know with technology as it is now, someone , somewhere will figure out an easier way for us to get our vitamins, with time. So I pushed it out of my head and decided to think in the now and not in the future. I see how far we have come in the 8 years since I have began my research into weighloss surgery. I thank God that I waited until now, many more options available. Hang in there, after you've done your research, the right answer will come along for you!! :P

Good Luck!

Thanks Susan.....you reminded me to live for today.....

I take about 6 in the early AM to include calcium citrate, effexor, acid reducer, condroitin, B12, and multivit,  2 calcium citrate mid morn, a few midday to include B1, biotin, 2 calcium, condroitin, 2 calcium citrate mid afternoon, dinner time multi vit, condroitin, acid reducer (omeprazole), 2 calcium citrate, 2  calciums about 8 or so, and then bedtime to include effexor, my sleep meds and restless legs med, 2 calcium. Yeah, there are many. I keep in pill organizer and just became a habit to take for a healthier life.

Yes, I agree about the healthier life....lots of pills....lots to remember....You said it...it becomes a habit....a healthy habit....do you have trouble swallowing the pills?

I have never had trouble swallowing pills. I usually can swallow 5 or 6 at  a time. Once in a while, I cannot get 1 or 2 down and have to really chug tha****er to get them to go down. If I have crushed ice in my water bottle, which I love, those ice pieces will push the pills down and that works great.