I've been taking BariActiv chewables (iron, calcium, multivitamin, B12) through Nutrition Direct since my surgery June 2016. After about 6 months I could no longer tolerate the calcium and multivitamin. So, I switched over to PatchMD for calcium & multivitamin. For the last couple of months, I've not been taking iron, because it gives me indigestion or bad reflux. I know I need to take it. I've been feeling very tired lately. Wondering what others suggest for the iron. I appreciate your suggestions. They do have more chewables out there for the iron, but I don't know if they will cause issues with me or not. Thanks for your suggestions.

I has VSG in December of 2011 and I have been chewing the Bariatric Advantage Iron ever since with no problems.

You HAVE to take your iron! Iron deficiency can be life threatening. Try ferrous gluconate instead of ferrous sulfate. Might be easier on your stomach. Or try a product called Slow-FE. It hits your system slower so it might be easier to tolerate. Talk to your doctor about getting your reflux looked at. Untreated gastric reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. Keep on taking good care of yourself.

You HAVE to take your iron! Iron deficiency can be life threatening. Try ferrous gluconate instead of ferrous sulfate. Might be easier on your stomach. Or try a product called Slow-FE. It hits your system slower so it might be easier to tolerate. Talk to your doctor about getting your reflux looked at. Untreated gastric reflux can lead to esophageal cancer. Keep on taking good care of yourself.

I have the slower FE but I didn't know if it was acceptable for the gastric bypass. Have you taken it before?

Iron supplements are a waste of time and money if you had gastric bypass. Most of the iron from foods such as meats, legumes, and iron-fortified grains is absorbed in the first part of your small intestine (duodenum). But after a gastric bypass procedure, food bypasses the duodenum. This means that it is IMPOSSIBLE to absorb iron supplements because they will NEVER pass through the your duodenum. It is shocking how many patients are not warned about this in advance.

I found out about this because I developed a serious iron deficiency about a year after surgery. Now I have to see a hematologist and receive an iron infusion at least once a year. The infusion is expensive - about $1100 with insurance before meeting a deductible.

Bariatric Advantage, get all my vitamins from there.

a lot of people like carbonyl iron. It's easy on most people's stomachs, and it's fairly well-absorbed. My iron and ferritin levels went up pretty considerably when I switched over to it (I'm an RNY patient). Heme iron is the most well-absorbed of all, but it's pretty pricey.

Have you tried the new iorn patches?

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Bariatric Advantage chewables!

Celebrate has a great line of vitamins and their watermelon flavor is great!