Good morning everyone and Happy Thanksgiving. I take several vitamins daily, but wondering if someone could please send me a list of all of the required vitamins that we need to stay healthy after gastric bypass surgery. I had surgery in 2011 and have maintained my weight thank goodness. However, I want a list because some things may have changed over the years. I just want to make sure to stay on track with the required vitamins according to national bariatric standards for optimal health. I eat right, but want to make sure that I am taking advantage of all of the vitamins that I need so that I don't fall into poor health. Also, could you please feel free to recommend the best brands. Thank you all so very much in advance for responding to this need.

Monica

Hello Everyone,

I would like to get some feedback from anyone on here who has taken the Bariatric Pal Vitamins. I decided to give them a try so I ordered the multi-vitamin with iron. It appears to have everything in it that is required for optimal nutrition for those of us who've had surgery. It only requires one pill a day and it is easy to swallow and it is not gel based so it dissolves in the pouch well. I just started taking them so I'll let you know how I'm feeling. I just thought I would ask on here to see what you think. Thanks in advance for all of your replies.

Monica

Thanks for your reply Kathyjs,

That's the best possible advice any of us on here can receive, given the health implications of what happens when we neglect to stay on a regular vitamin schedule. Interestingly enough, the last time I was in to see my family physician, she said my B12 was a bit high and recommended a slight reduction. She also recommended that I cut back my vitamin D a bit as well. I do definitely take my calcium very faithfully, as I want my bones to stay strong. It's the reason why I can still run at my age. I take my D, B12, and my two chewables every day. My labs look good for the most part though. I do need to get in to see my bariatric doc though because I am long over due for an appointment. I have decided that I am going to start back tracking my weight and updating my online food diary to see exactly what I am doing. I believe that after a number of years, some of us need to just go back to basics. I will say also that my restriction is definitely still there, as I have found out when I've taken one bite too many.

Hello All,

I just had my 8 year surgery anniversary for RNY. I came today to sincerely seek out your opinions from anyone whether you're 8 years out or not as to how you have been maintaining your weight, labs and diet in general. This has been quite the journey for me so far. I went back over the whole ordeal from the first time I sought out the surgery to where I am now.

For the most part, I have done well to maintain my weight, although I've had struggles. I finally got to the point that I don't really get on the scale anymore unless I go to the doctor. That is probably a mistake, but what I go by to determine if I am still on track or not is how my clothes fit. I am still wearing the same clothes that still fit from when I first lost my weight. It seems like my body has reset and settled into a weight that I can maintain, or at least still able to wear my same size clothes.

I would just like to get some advise and words of wisdom from you. The biggest challenge for me right now is, while I can still wear the same size, I would feel much better if I got the last 10 pounds off that would be a goal that I never achieved. Just wanting to hear from you out there about your weight maintenance and some pointers. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

Monica, surgery on September 7, 2011

I think I may be okay for my calcium intake. I do get about the 1500 that you take. I like that my bones are not brittle and that I can still run. I know it's because I am not carrying so much weight and the fact that I take my supplements.

Hey! That's a great idea. I forgot that I make my own bath bombs are they are fabulous. I've had previous co-workers asking me if I had a website because they like them so much. The ingredients that I use are natural with 100% essential oils. I remember the first time I used my own bath bombs. I thought, well if I am going to make these for others I need to try out my own product and loved it. So I think it would also help to do a good soak in the tub with extra Epsom salt.

OMG! Thank you so much for your wonderful ideas. I never would have thought about mustard, oil, or anything like that. That's why I like coming to this site when I have an issue going on. The pain is such that I am willing to try just about anything to keep it at bay. Thanks again.

Thank you for this great resource. I will definitely check it out.

Epsom Salt? Ah yes. When I was growing up my dad would swore by Epsom Salt. I remember him soaking in it all the time. He was a carpenter so often came home with sore muscles from work. I have soaked in it but it's been a long time. May be time to have a good soak in it. Thanks for that suggestion. I will do that.

Thanks,

That's a good idea to have my blood checked. I just had my labs done back in November and the doctor didn't say anything about my potassium levels. I will go ahead and get my levels checked again, it doesn't hurt anything. I just want to make sure that I am where I need to be. Thanks again.

Thank you so very much for helping me with this problem to let me know which one to buy. Let me just say this to everyone on this site. Over the years, I have had different issues that I needed an answer for. I have always, always been able to get responses from very knowledgeable people on here. You all are awesome and I feel especially fortunate to be able to come to such a supportive community. I am teachable and will always welcome good information. I have found that on this journey that we have taken for better health and wellness, it helps to come to a place where others understand. Thanks again.

Hello Everyone,

I trust that you are doing well. However, I am not doing so well right now. I am 7 years out. With the exception of a bout of reactive hypoglycemia, I have been doing well since my surgery. The problem that I have been having lately is severe leg and foot cramping. It is extremely painful and I just want relief. It usually happens at night. Can any of you recommend which magnesium pills I should take for this that can be absorbed? I went online and started looking at magnesium, but wasn't satisfied. I just figured someone one here is more knowledgeable than I am and more experienced who can lead me in the right direction. Someone, please get back to me with some answers, as the cramping is crazy painful. I look forward to any and all responses so I can get some relief. Thanks much.

Monica

Hello,

I am 7 years out. I recently had my labs taken and the doctor says that my Vitamin D and B12 are out of the range of normal, meaning, they are too high. Now, the doctor wants me to only take my 5,000 b12 every other week and to take only 5,000 D daily instead of the 10,000 I had been taking. I just want to know if you agree with that. Also, I am now required to take Metformin now, which is a bummer. My sugar levels are borderline now, but they were not borderline and perfectly normal 3 years ago. What has changed the reason for being borderline is exercise. I have moved around the past 3 years and my exercise program got off track. My weight has remained stable for the past 7 years, so no weight regain issues going on. I have a strong family history for diabetes and several siblings have been taking Metformin for years. I guess I am in denial a little bit about this. I do not want to be on diabetes medications. I believe if I get my exercise program back on track that my levels will come right back down and below borderline. What I have experienced though since having surgery in 2011 is bout of hypoglycemia infrequently. I just want to get everyone's take on this. Sorry for such a long post.

Monica