Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

How about NO vitamins?!



Recommended Posts

I’m 14 months post surgery, reached goal weight, very happy and healthy. I’ve just had one year blood test follow up. Every test within normal range and naturally vastly improved results than pre surgery. I don’t take any Vitamin supplements. Now here’s my question. How do we know we should take Vitamins if at all? My nutritionist recommended to take a multi vitamin daily for the rest of my life but to be honest I just didn’t bother. Never a fan of supplements pre or post surgery and if results are good and diet good, why take them? Thoughts and feedback appreciated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think there is a lot of mixed research out there about whether Vitamins help or not. One thing is for sure though....No Vitamin will work as well as the vitamins you get from food. Food has the vitamins in the state that they were supposed to be in, and in the combinations that help you absorb the vitamins the easiest.

If your levels are good, and you are having them checked regularly.....You should be good.

One thing that I would caution about is that not all vitamins are tested for in your blood work. They might not test for Lutein, Folate or Manganese in the bloodwork, but depending on what you eat, you could still be deficient in each of these. You wouldn't know it until you start having symptoms.

Congratulations on Getting under goal!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Some people absorb Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients more optimally than others. Simply put, I need my supplements because I don't absorb them well from food.

Due to hypothyroidism, I'm prone to multiple deficiencies (zinc, vitamins A, B12 and D, Iron, etc).

I've been deficient in thiamine (vitamin B1) 1 year post-op and required an injection, so I supplement with a Vitamin B complex in addition to whatever else I take.

I also had deficiencies in vitamins A and D prior to weight loss surgery, so I take those.

I'm black. Vitamin D deficiency runs rampant in the black community. Our people need triple the sun exposure time to produce enough vitamin D naturally due to darker skin pigmentation, so I'll supplement with it for life.

Blacks also have magnesium deficiency more often than those from other racial/ethnic backgrounds.

The moral of the story is that some of us need supplements to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

Edited by Introversion

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had Vitamin deficiencies before surgery. Anemic, and prone to low vitamin D due to race as @Introversion mentioned.

I don't need a multi if I am eating normally but I am going to have to take Iron and Vitamin D forever. That is just how it is.

Most people don't seem to follow up a lot with their blood work so I would be really hesitant to suggest people skip Vitamins, also post-op bariatric diets vary greatly from person to person.

If not taking vitamins work for you, keep it up. It isn't an option for me and I am not willing to risk the side effects at all, having experienced them. Never again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It depends upon the surgery. For RNY gastric bypass patients and Duodenal Switch patients taking Vitamin supplements is an absolute must.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Get the levels tested. Go for every 6 months, and then see what it is like after 3 years out.

Until this year, I always had Vit A, E, some of the B's tested. I have known issues, those are the ones I keep on top of, but ones that have stayed consistently well within the normal range I don't have checked. I have several other GI issues that require the bloodwork and sometimes infusions, along with others I have certain Vitamin shots, etc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, it depends on your surgery. If you had the sleeve, you're just not eating as much. If you had the bypass or the switch, you're not eating as much AND you're not absorbing as much from your food, including Vitamins. For most of us, vitamins are required for life. It may not show up this early, but I've read about horrible things happening down the road, like teeth falling out, bones getting brittle, Hair loss, malnutrition. Do you really want to take that chance?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Good discussion. I have a gastric sleeve so eat a good diet but not the volume. I appreciate some of you must take Vitamins due to various factors but my point was more if I don’t have any negative results/low levels do I NEED to take Multivitamins as I really don’t see the point. The only thing prescription wise I’ve been given is a Vitamin D tablet monthly and zinc tablets as results showed low end of normal readings for that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 04/10/2017 at 9:53 PM, OutsideMatchInside said:

I had Vitamin deficiencies before surgery. Anemic, and prone to low Vitamin D due to race as @Introversion mentioned.

I don't need a multi if I am eating normally but I am going to have to take Iron and Vitamin D forever. That is just how it is.

Most people don't seem to follow up a lot with their blood work so I would be really hesitant to suggest people skip Vitamins, also post-op bariatric diets vary greatly from person to person.

If not taking Vitamins work for you, keep it up. It isn't an option for me and I am not willing to risk the side effects at all, having experienced them. Never again.

Black people have low vit d due to race? Is it because alot of black people dont want to get darker so avoid the sun lol or is there actually an issue absorbing vit d? I know i put my arm out when driving and feel ten shades darker lol so i do not stay in the sun long lol were as my friends who are white love the sun , luckily vit d is good for now

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 06/10/2017 at 1:34 AM, els said:

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Good discussion. I have a gastric sleeve so eat a good diet but not the volume. I appreciate some of you must take Vitamins due to various factors but my point was more if I don’t have any negative results/low levels do I NEED to take Multivitamins as I really don’t see the point. The only thing prescription wise I’ve been given is a Vitamin D tablet monthly and zinc tablets as results showed low end of normal readings for that.

It seems people are sayin your blood results may be fine but some things do not show up in usual blood work.. So .. How do you really know there are no issues if some things are not tested for? I am just curious?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am not the best at remembering vits, but you may not see the point, but you are not super human. It is a standard recommendation not out of thin air, but from research on what has shown bariatric patients need. Issues may not show up from day one, does not mean they never will.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi my dietitian said that elevit for women is a good Vitamin supplement to take it has everything in it. I cant take some of the Vitamins they suggest the adverse affects arent nice lol , i also take a soft chew Calcium and vitamin D yummy chocolate flavour ..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, dreamingsmall said:

Black people have low vit d due to race? Is it because alot of black people dont want to get darker so avoid the sun lol or is there actually an issue absorbing vit d? I know i put my arm out when driving and feel ten shades darker lol so i do not stay in the sun long lol were as my friends who are white love the sun , luckily vit d is good for now

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/4/1126.full

Quote

This is primarily due to the fact that pigmentation reduces Vitamin D production in the skin.

It is because of the melanin in our skin. I spend all summer in the sun and I walk in the sun every day in the winter no matter what and I still had low vitamin D.

Quote

Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly apparent that vitamin D protects against other chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers, all of which are as prevalent or more prevalent among blacks than whites. Clinicians and educators should be encouraged to promote improved vitamin D status among blacks (and others) because of the low risk and low cost of vitamin D supplementation and its potentially broad health benefits.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, OutsideMatchInside said:

http://jn.nutrition.org/content/136/4/1126.full

It is because of the melanin in our skin. I spend all summer in the sun and I walk in the sun every day in the winter no matter what and I still had low Vitamin D.

Thank you for the info , black people hiding from the sun wont help the already desposition situation, that is interesting, no offence but are you super dark? is it the darker you are the more likely to have vit d deficiancy? I think I am quite dark. but not super dark but never had an issue.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×