Two weeks Post-op and doing great (sort of)!

Hi everyone! First, I want to thank everyone for all their good wishes and timely advice. You are an amazing goup of people and I thank the powers-that-be for all of you. I just came back from my first Dr visit after surgery and everything is going well. I'm still struggling to find the right mulitvitamins for me (I'm giving up on chewables - yech!) and protein drinks are still a bit of a challenge, but I think I found some I can depend on while I keep doing the taste-tests. On the plus side - I'm down 15 lbs, my liquid intake is increasing a little more every few days and my walking is up to 20 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Stairs are easier, I already have more flexibility and even with this arctic blast my knees don't hurt! So, what kind of multivitamins are working for people? I have the Drs "ok" to swallow a pill. Thanks! Juli

According to my doctor (they are all different) we won't be able to swallow pills for any of our vitamins, etc. because we can't absorb them properly. I take Flintstone Completes and I actually like the taste, hehe. For Calcium citrate, I buy the chewables from Vitacost.com and I drink the 2.9oz liquid proteins from IDS. I throw them in smoothies and I can't taste them. Plus I eat a lot of protein bars now. Congrats on your loss, sounds like you're doing well! Amber

Woohoo! Way to go! Hugs, Robin

Hi Julie - way to go!!!! 15lbs gone forever!! And this is just the start! I used to take Centrium Silver chewables but now I take Douglas Laboratories as they were specially devised by the Medabolix group for WLS patients and have a very high rating in the Supplement Comparison Guide for 2006. (4.7% on the chewables versus 70% on the Douglas labs) - they can be taken in two doses but it may be too soon for you to digest them at only a couple of weeks out... You MUST take all your protein and vitamins if you want to prevent your hair loss - both Sue and I always took ours and neither of us lost any hair... I know our surgeon does not recomment Flintstones - he says we have very different needs from children so why would we take a children's vitamin..... Maybe Natalie - our nutritionist - can recommend some other kinds of vitamins if you can't manage what you have? Just a thought.... It is great to see you post! And glad that you are doing so well! Good job!! Jackie

Wow Julie, sounds like you are doing great. Congratulations!!!! Every dr/nutritionist does recommend differently for vitamins & protein. I personally use the Solary twice daily multi energy multi vitamin (bought at Vitamin Shoppe) It has a B Complex already in it so I don't have to take an extra suppliment. I take the Citracal Petities for my calcium (Walmart/Target), Traders Darwins sublingual B 12 (Trader Joes), an Omega 3, and Chewable Iron (Vitamin Shoppe) with a chewable C (Walmart). For my protein I use the Isopure Zero Carb, dutch chocolate flavor (Vitamin Shoppe or www.allstarhealth.com). It is important to take your suppliments. You might have a problem swallowing a pill this early out. A trick that might help it take it with a warm liquid. I have always been good about taking everything but I still lost hair, not a lot and it wasn't visibly noticable but I did lose some. Keep up the great work and keep us updated on your success. Courtney

WAY TO GO JULI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome start, and you are doing FANTASTIC!!!! Trust me, it just keeps getting better and better.............see you at the next support group meeting!!!! OXOXXOXOXOOXOXX Sharon

Juli, Congratulations! Isn't it amazing that the weight comes off? I am stil in awe over that. I am using Flinstones chewables too. I tried the Vitamine Shoppe liquid vitami, it didn't taste too bad, I think it was orange. I just decided to "get it over with" and chew the vitamins up. Also, I use Vitamin SHoppe B12 sublingual, which I do like. It's rasberry flavored and you just drop it under our tongue and your done. Good Luck to you! Cindy