Iron Post-Op

It's Anna's "deluge of questions" day!

I am trying to get things in place for my surgery in 3 weeks. (And I finally have the money to order things.)

What iron do people suggest taking for post op? There are so many options out there and I'm confused.

I tend to have low iron anyway so I need a supplement.

Thanks!

Anna (tired and clueless but at work nonetheless)

Hi Anna,

I would stay away from ferrous sulfate - it can cause constipation and from what I've read, it doesn't absorb well in WLS people.  Taking iron with vitamin C helps absorption and make sure you do not take it within 4 hours of calcium supplements.  For a new post-op, I'd recommend the Tender Iron from Vitalady.com.  They are carbonyl iron, a good one for absorption and they are tiny pills that you can actually chew if you have to.  They don't even taste bad...not like nails at all!   Vitalady is actually a WLS person who is on this site (Michelle Curran) - she's not a Dr, but she knows ALOT about vitamins.  I'd trust her advice.  Here's a link to the Tender Iron.  I've ordered lots of products from her company and have never had any trouble with them.
 
http://www.vitalady.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&k ey=1706

I now use Solgar Gentle Iron - they are in larger capsules, but as an old-timer (5+ years post-op), I can swallow just about anything.  They've worked great for me, I had low ferritin and went from a 9 to 34 in just 3 months after using this.  No tummy problems with this stuff either.  You can get it online,  I'd recommend Iherb.com.  They are my favorite place to buy vitamins and supplements.  If you can't find it at Iherb, you probably don't need it!  Here's a link to that:

http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=-5860748336 086859191&at=0

Locally, if I were to go buy iron in a store...I'd go for Vitron-C.  It has the iron and vitamin C in one tablet.  I don't know how big they are for swallowing, but I know post-ops use it.  You can't find it everywhere, but I've seen it at CVS.

Hope this helps...

Thanks, Lori! I was actually already leaning towards the Tender Iron from Vitalady.

Anything else you would recommend brand-wise for vitamins and minerals for a new post-op?

Vitalady's website has some info on what she recommends...but as always, follow your program that your Dr. gives you.  My only deviation really is if they tell you ferrous sulfate or tell you to use Viactiv chews.  You need calcium citrate, and Viactiv is calcium carbonate.   Calcium citrate comes in chewables too - not sure of the brands as I can use the cheap big tablets from Costco or I have found a liquid calcium, magnesium and vit D supplement from Iherb that I'm using now.

You don't need to invest in a ton of stuff right away.  Get some chewable multi-vitamins, some calcium citrate and some iron and vitamin C.  Follow your clinic recommendations..and you can tailor your regimen as you see fit.  Do alot of research and just remember to TAKE them!  I started my program from what Park Nicollet recommended and then did some further research on my own.  My labs have been good, except at my 5 year visit I was deficient in vitamin D of all things.  I started taking 10,000 units from Vitalady and after a few months I'm back up in the normal range.  I'm going to continue that dosage for now.  There's been a lot of press lately on the importance of vitamin D, especiallly here in the north where sunlight is scarce in the winter.

The web has lots of info, but can be overwhelming at times with the amount of information and differing opinions you will hear.  Use your common sense and judgement and you will do just fine!

Anna,

My Doctor has me taking VitronC twice a day......

Good luck, Kelly

Hello Anna!

It was so nice to meet you at coffee on Saturday!

I like Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron, the Passion Fruit flavor.  I'm trying to get my iron levels back up and I'm taking them twice a day with Vitamin C.  Mild on the pouch, and I like the taste.

Edi

sounds as though you've got a couple great ideas already, but i wanted to pipe in with my two cents worth.  beware the constipation that sometimes accompanies iron supplements.  i learned that the hard way - no pun intended.
good luck, anna

I just finished iron infusions to get my iron back up to the normal level.  If you run low prior to surgery and are still getting a monthly period my hematologist said she doesn't understand why we aren't put on infusion therapy, or at the very least monitored more closely.  I took the Bariatric advantage Passion Fruit Iron 29mg before my infusions.  They do taste good, and they do not constipate. I took 3 a day.  They also have a new higher dose one you can try too, just call and ask them for samples and see what flavors you like.  They  have 3 doses in 3 flavors.  Remember not to take calcium and iron together, they bind to one another, and become useless.  Don't drink tea or coffee either if you are iron deficient, if blocks iron absorption.  Also if you take thyroid meds you need to take iron separate from that also.  It's a complicated pain in the butt!  I am so glad to get the infusions now so I could stop worrying about all my "cant's" and now they are going to remove my uterus so I stop losing so much iron through my period.  Best wishes with your surgery, and get your iron up now and be ahead of the game...it sucks to get so low!

Tracy