vitamins

I have never taken iron. never needed to. I get 12 tubes of blood drawn. the only vitiamin that gets low is my C, but it is always within range.  Calcium and those are all normal in range. Never had a bone scan. INS wont pay for it unless its medically necessary. 

I have a co-worker that had an RNY 7 years ago and hasn't taken one vitamin/supplements and her lab results are always fine. She too gets yearly blood work done and they are always fine.

Why has she decided not to take any vitamins?

I know I was told with calcium specifically, that your labs may look fine but your body may be pulling it from your bones and teeth.  Also, by the time your levels have tanked, it is very difficult to get them back up.  Better to be safe than sorry. 

You are exactly right.  

That's correct.  If you don't take in enough calcium your body will pull it from your bones to keep the level in your blood good.  That's because if they level in your blood gets too low, your muscles can't contract properly.  If your heart can't contract, meaning beat, you die.  Your body thinks it's more important to have a beating heart than to have bones, so it will sacrifice your bones to keep your heart beating.

YUP !

It's all fine and dandy.....til it's not !

And then @#$% gets real and people DIE !

But feel free NOT to take them......keeps us Cardiac ICU nurses in a job !

I never understand why someone is willing to have major surgery but not willing to take a few vitamins.

I am committed to taking the vitimans, however, I am struggling with constipation (1 month post-op) so I actually stopped the  iron and calcium. I know that is not good, but I don't know what else to do. 

You need to add fiber to your diet. Like Benefiber.  I also eat some refried beans with melted cheese that has fiber and protien.