Spectrum Chewables

 So Spectrum Chewables was the recommended daily multivitamin from Humber River Regional Hospital because it was the vitamin with the highest amount of vitamins and minerals, including one of the highest of iron. After going to Shoppers today as I was almost out, I found out that Spectrum Chewables have been discontinued! Ah! I don't particularly like the idea of having to swallow a big giant horse pill this early out, so I went to another Shoppers were they still had stock and bought enough to last eight months (I hope they would come out with a replacement by then  right?).
Anyways, just a friendly tip, if you depend on Spectrum Chewables as your vitamin of choice, you might want to stock up if you can still find it.  

Oh no!! I like those.  I guess I'm searching for a new brand again.

Centrum chewables are equally as good and readily available.

Keep in mind that if your multi-vit has both iron and calcium, you are not going to absorb much of the iron because the calcium interferes with it.

Menstruating women need to supplement iron above and beyond a multi-vitamin to avoid anemia - this is according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The Ontario centres have not adopted this practise, and so don't advise people to do it, but it is something we should all be doing. The rates of anemia in RNY post-ops in Ontario is over 50% (according to the nutritionist at TWH), and it is much easier to prevent than to cure.

I did not know this about topping up your iron while menstruating. So if your iron levels are good otherwise do you only take it for that week.

The ASMBS recommends that all women of childbearing age take a daily dose of iron separate from a multi-vit to prevent anemia - even if your numbers are good, because it is much easier to prevent anemia than to try to fix it. Supplementing oral iron post-RNY is highly unlikely to cause your levels to become too high, as your duodenum (where iron is primarily absorbed) is bypassed, so the normal concerns don't apply. You can always cut back your supplement if your labs show iron that is too high, but this is a very rare situation for a RNY post-op.

Sorry, I should have been more clear in my use of the term menstruating, what I meant is any woman who still menstruates needs to supplement iron on a daily basis.

Crap.  Just started on them.  Love them because they taste like Flintstone vitamins.  I guess the Centrum will have to do. Thanks

Julie

At my three month check up at the WMC in Ottawa I was told to stop taking the chewable and start taking One A Day 50 plus (but I take two per day). I had my surgery in July as well and have absolutely no problem swallowing the One A Day vitamins.

My labs are bang on (knock on wood).

 I wonder if the chewables are better for absorption...I still do chewable vitamins and liquids at 2 years out...Does your nut recommend this?   Curious....

 spectrum 22 (once a day) chewable and spectrum 50 plus chewable (2 x per day) are good options!