I buy my vitamins at Costco.  I take TUMS for calcium (per my doctor's orders) and I can get them cheap at WalMart.  I take time release iron and buy the store brand at Target.  You don't have to buy the expensive vitamins.  I'm three years out and my labs are PERFECT with WalMart, Costco and Target products.  Hope this helps.

jaye :)))

That is not the CLOS policy. Patients with problems are often asked and encouraged to post so that others can learn what to do and what not to do.  If you will contact me with the name of your surgeon and your surgery date, I will look into this. This is definitely not how it's done and not the policy of the CLOS surgeons or staff!  And if you are having any issues as the result of an MGB performed by a CLOS doctor, you should feel free...always...to contact the surgeon.  If for some reason you don't get him, you should feel free to call a CLOS staffer.

Kathy, I am curious if you began losing again.  My pattern will not make you feel any better but...I had MGB with Dr. Rutledge 9 years ago.  I lost 97 pounds in 7 months then nodda...nothing...and I began to gain.  In month 19 for no reason I can explain, I began to lose again until I lost an additional 52 pounds between 18 months and three years not doing anything different that I did from the very beginning.  I have seen patients who have lost almost nothing in the beginning but by the time the end of the second year came they were down most or all of their excess weight.  I have seen only one patient that did not lose a substantial amount of weight. And unfortunately I have seen several patients, done by other than Dr. Rutledge and Dr. Peraglie his associate, who have lost too much weight because they had too long of a bypass FOR THEM.  It is horrible to see.  I know it's no consolation, but if given a choice of weighing a bit too much or weighing too little, too much is preferable.  On the other hand, I would be devastated if I paid for a surgery and it made little change in my life because I didn't lose much weight.  I am hoping that you are losing again and seeing at least some progress.  I work for CLOS and I see miracles every day and I am disheartened for you that you are not experiencing the miracle that I and so many others have experienced!

Thank you, Linda!  I have one week from today till surgery and these replies are helping my nerves :)  Congrats to you and your husband!  Renee

Hi,

The main risk is ulcers but that can be avoided by following the doctor's advice, no ulcer or irritation causing meds, drinking carbonated drinks, etc.  All surgeries have risks.  Nothing is always 100%.  Everyone loses at a different rate.  I would do this again a zillion times.  Well worth it!