Hi Fellow Lapbanders!

I will be joining you on Jan 9,2012 ( YAY!!!) Anywho, can you please tell me what Vitamins I will need aside from a Multivitamin? Also, assume that this multivitamin should be in liquid form, correct?

Please advise, my doctor hasn't spoken to me about this topic during my preop visit.

I take two Fusion multivitamins daily. I know you can order them on line, but I get them from Doc. Whatever you take - chewable. Be sure to talk to your regular doctor about having all prescriptions changed to liquid. Those that could not be (and that were small), she told me to crush and take with applesauce so they would slide through band more easily.

I take two Flintstone vitamins daily. No science to support my choice, but with all the protein shakes (EAS CarbControl and Muscle Milk) I feel pretty balanced. When I would diet (pre-band) I'd get canker sores. But, I haven't gotten any since I've been taking my Flintstones. And, I do feel like I am eating a pretty rounded diet. Fish, chicken, veggies, and very little carbs (in simple form). I like the protein bars too. Again, I am not very well schooled on vitamins. You very well might be pleasantly surprised on just how balanced you can get with the band. Those shakes have a lot in them.

I take te generic versions of vitafusion gummies and calcium. I buy the target brand. Adult gummy multivitamin and adult gummy calcium chews.

I don't like the chalky taste Of the flintstones.

The ones I take taste like gummy bears and sours.

Try several to see what works for you.

I was told you are suppose to take a multi-vitamin and a citrate calcium.

I was told to take the following:

1) Multi with Iron

2) Calcium

3) Iron

4) Vitamin C (taken with the Iron)

5) Vitamin B

I also take Vitamin D (my levels were low prior to surgery) and GNC Hair and Nails (biotin and other stuff). I am going to add Zinc to help with hair loss. (The biotin slowed it but it didn't stop completely.)

Sorry if this is repetitive. I was only told to buy two types of vitamins. A multi vitamin (Centrum) and Calcium Caltrate. They are both chewables which is perfectly fine for me. I don't think you need a liquid. I take the multi vitamin in them morning with breakfast, and the calcium caltrate at lunch and dinner. You are not supposed to take the multi vitamin with the caltrate nor the caltrate with milk or anything like that. I've heard people buy extra vitamins like Biotin for the hair. I haven't had issues with my hair yet so I'm going to wait and see on that. Also, I just went for my post op blood tests. Depending on the results of that, I may add more vitamins. I know I was low on vitamin D pre op, but I took vitamins for 6 months, plus both vitamins I take now have vitamin D in it. Anyways, maybe this will help. Good luck!

I use Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate. In addition to the multi twice a day I also take B-12, B Complex, Calcium Citrate and Iron.

my doc gave me a list of the vits. they want me to take with dosage. try to use the best products possible, stay away from the chewable that have lots of sugar and low vitamin doses.

I went to Whole foods and bought a liquid vit. and calcium/magnesium. it is really important that you get your vitamins.

we eat such a small amount of food that we have to have the best we can afford.

You are NOT supposed to take iron unless you are deficient in it. Excessive iron stores in your body especially for men can cause a cardiac arrest. Just take a multi vitamin and it should be enough unless they find you are deficient in a vitamin. Most of the protein shakes are loaded with vitamins.

I think its wise to get general bloodwork done to check your iron levels, vit d, etc before you get into any complicated routines. I know for sure that i suffer iron depletion, so i take a heavy duty iron supplement. I take a multi, a green superfood drink ( yuck yuck yuck) becausevi just dont eat all the fruit and veg i should, calcium and fish oil. Along with my hrt and low dose adpirin, its quite a routine, but following cancer, ive had a big wake up call about the effects of years of restricted diet. Not thatbim saying it caused cancer but thatbive discovered all of these nutritional problems in my body and am struggling to feel well and energetic after chemo.

I am taking D3, and a multi vit. Do you think calcium is necessary?

Everyone here can give you a list of vitamins & ideas of what to take but we are not YOUR doctor. Always ask YOUR doctor. Every doctor has their own way of doing things as we have all found out throughout our journeys. Some doctors have diets after surgery and some dont. My suggestion to you is ASK. My doctor only suggested 2 -Flinstones Multi-Vit & 3 -Viactiv per day. Again this is what MY doctor suggested. YOUR doctor will add items based on your individual problems.

It appears all the programs require slightly different things. I was required to go to the Nutritionist as part of my program (I get banded on 1/17/12 - YaY). I was advised to take the following:

1. Chewable Multi-Vitamin for adults (no gummies recommended)

2. Chewable Calcium Citrate w/ D3 - 1500mg/day (500mg pills spaced out morn/lunch/dinner)

3. Do not mix Multivitamins containing Iron with calcium supplements (take 2 hours apart)

4. Do not substitute Tums (calcium carbonate) for your calcium

You may want to talk to your nutritionist or doctor to get what combination is right for you.