Bluesea71

The iron you're taking may be contributing to the problem. I had my pre-op 1:1 appointment with my dietitian today. I brought in all I the vitamins I had purchased. I had purchased Iron ( ferrous sulfate) which seems to be the most common one sold in stores. She said it was okay, but it may leave me constipated. She recommended ferrous fumarate iron. I couldn't find it at our local Target or CVS, but did note Bariatric Advantage chewable iron utilizes it.

I remember looking into this last year and actually found a screen shot I took on my iPhone about it.

I remember looking into this last year an actually found a screen shot I took on my iPhone about it.

Note; the video has narration which is very helpful in explaining what they are doing. If you can't hear it, reload it again.

Fascinating video of how the operation is actually done. It isn't bloody, but if you don't like looking at internal organs, you may not want to watch! I found it fascinating, and now understand how an enlarged liver could get in the way! http://m.youtube.com/watch?list=TLod64PLMZ1zM&v=CD1afDem8yM

You just made my night - a beverage warmer has been the family Christmas gag gift for 3 years now! My teenage daughter gave it to me one Christmas and it never got used, so she re-wrapped it again the following year and put it under the tree. It appeared this past christmas again. Darn. I think I accidentally packed the unopened box away with the Holiday stuff. I see your point - I think it would have finally got some use!!!!

Hi April ladies - join the April 2014 thread so we can continue to support each other! I'm April 16th!

Update to my last post - the TJ multivitamin DOES contain B1. It's just listed as thiamin. Im meeting with the dietitian tomorrow so will ask her if I really need all of these extra pills. They are all water soluble so no chance of over dosing. I'd just rather not spend money on pills I don't need!

I'm beginning to think that I have the only doctor that wants me to take vitamin B-1 in ADDITION to B-12. All B-12 pills tend to be small, so that wasn't the issue, B-1 was the issue. Which in hindsight i realized the horse pills i bought were vitamin B100! Regardless, I went to Walgreens tonight and found a 100mg B-1 vitamin by Nature Made that is small. The bottle of 100 was under $7.00. On the label it says "B1 is vital for converting food into energy." I just read the label of my trader joes high potency chewable multi-vitamins (which are btw- awesome. No vitamin taste or vitamin burps after!). Those do not contain B1. So there you go. I'm sure there will be at least one other newbie looking for B1!

I hate vitamins too. I love the chewable Multi vitamin from trader joes. I also discovered the calcium Carmel chews from bariatric advantage. Now those taste like candy!

Ok, I must need a nap. That is iron I'm deficient in. Anyway, back to B1! Does anyone take a separate B1 supplement out there in Barriatric land?!?

Opps - Vitamin D is the other one I'm taking. . Pre-op blood work showed I was deficient so I have a high dosage one prescribed I'm taking for the next 10 weeks

I have found a B12 I like. I'm looking for B1 (thiamin)

I already take two of the chewable trader joes multi vitamins. In addition, my doctor wants me to take calcium, B12, B1 and iron. I did some research and did see there are plenty of B1 options available both on-line and in stores. I'm just hesitant purchasing something that may be another huge pill. I have an appointment with my dietitian on Friday. I will ask why an additional pill is needed if I'm already getting it in the multivitamin.

The B1 vitamins I purchased look like horse pills and get stuck in my throat. Does anyone know of a smaller pill or ideally, a chewable? If it tastes like candy you will be my new best friend!!

When I was pregnant for the first time, I obsessively bought every gadget I thought I would need as a new parent. Flash forward 8 years later, i did the same thing when we got our puppy, I purchased endless dog stuff at Pet smart and online that i thought every dog owner would need. Both times, i realized in time that i really didn't NEED 90% of what i purchased. So a question for those Barriatric experts. What are the items that I will really need post-op?!?

Sumatriptan is the generic name for Imitrex I have traveled to Mexico a lot and always look for medications in the pharmacies when I'm down there. I've never seen A Mexican version of imitrex. Granted this was in the airports and areas around Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. I went to Tijuana once in college and never wanted to go back!

And biotin hoping to reduce hair loss post-op!

Kitty 323 - I am pre-op but have started the vitamin routine required post-op. in addition to the 2 trader joes chewables (200% of daily value) I take: 1500 calcium citrate (chewable Barriatric advantage Carmels) B12 B1 (50-100 mg per day) D3 (1000-1500 per day) Iron (45-60mg per day)

I also take the chewable ones from trader joes. I don't like swallowing big pills and they actually taste good! The Barriatric dietitian at Kaiser recommended them and said to take two a day

I suffer from migraines and low blood sugar is often a trigger. I used to skip breakfast and not eat my first meal until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. At that point my blood sugar levels have crashed and often a headache would result. Now I eat a high protein shake or 3-4 scrambled egg whites in the morning. WHAT you eat may be key. Avoid carbohydrates if possible.

It seems to vary. My surgeon at Kaiser SSF isn't requiring me to lose weight or do any pre-op diet outside of the usual no food/drink after midnight the night before. I think the main concern is they want to make sure the surgery tools can reach the area safely that they are operating on. The more belly fat you have, the harder it is for them to do their job. I carry weight in my midsection but I'm on the smaller side with a BMi of 35. Haha. Okay, at 5' 7", 223 pounds, that is probably the only time in my life I have described myself as small! I also eat a pretty healthy diet already but have made even more changes myself to ensure I am successful post-surgery.

I was approved for surgery with only a BMI of 35 because I have PCOS. Do you have any comorbidities? Diabetes? Sleep apnea? etc. If so, you can qualify with a BMI under 40. Otherwise, if you are an otherwise "healthy" chunky person, 40 is the major number!