Bypass vitamins and iron HELP!

[cherylanne k 13]

I'm having bypass Monday 8/29 my surgeon wants all women who have periods to take Multivitamin with Iron. Most take flintstones chewable. I have found that I CAN NOT take them. Because I can not have a bowel movement while on them. I've had lifelong issues with Constipation I'm already taking Linzess,pro biotics,stool softeners and benefiber. With the Vitamins I TMI alert-went 5 days without going then when I did I strained for over an hour with rock hard stool and I actually bled. YIKES!! Talked to pharmacist and she said the easier o digest iron is extended release so probably won't work for bypass pts. Yes I will talk to my dr after Monday but I just wondered has anyone had these same problems with iron and if so what did you do? Bye-I

am 51 yo so shouldn't even get my period much longer and my blood work has never shown low iron before.

[catwoman7 10,875]

pretty much everybody has Constipation issues - although I know Iron makes it even worse. I take carbonyl Iron, which is supposed to be easier on your system (and less constipating) than others, but I still struggle with constipation.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. About a year in, my blood work showed I was deficient in Iron. They told me to take Iron pills (65 mg per day). My nutritionist said the chemistry was important to make sure it maximizes absorption. She recommended Ferrous Sulfate.