Just out of curiosity, how does life after surgery differ for bypass and sleeve? I understand that bypass patients will need more vitamin support. Do VSG need vitamin supplements too? Just wondering how different the routine maintenance (and cost of that maintenance) is for bypass and VSG surgeries.

yes sleeve needs vitamins for rest of life also

I think sleeves are a little more forgiving with B12 deficiency. Both put you at risk for anemia and iron deficiency.

Thanks for responding

Generally, yes, both require vitamins long term but more so with a bypass due to malabsorbtion issues. Honestly that was a big factor in my deciding to get a sleeve rather than the bypass. Both surgeries certainly have their pros/cons so you have to look at the big picture and decide what's best for you.

Thanks Orionburn. I’m scheduled for bypass but read something on another Facebook support group that mentioned the financial burden after surgery. While I have discussed the vitamin requirement with my surgeon, I was starting to wonder how much more it was in comparison to VSG. I’m probably just nervous because my surgery is coming up in Feb.

Just now, TexasGal40 said:

Thanks Orionburn. I’m scheduled for bypass but read something on another Facebook support group that mentioned the financial burden after surgery. While I have discussed the Vitamin requirement with my surgeon, I was starting to wonder how much more it was in comparison to VSG. I’m probably just nervous because my surgery is coming up in Feb.

I can see it being somewhat pricey if you're taking some speciality vitamins. Some of the bariatric ones get salty on the cost. I've been taking regular calcium and multivitamin for the past few months. I just hit the one year mark and have to get updated bloodwork to make sure I'm still good, but haven't had any issues up to this point. During the first two months I was low on my iron and had to add an extra supplement but it eventually evened out.

You can pay a lot for bariatric vitamins for either procedure...or you can be cheap like me, buy store brands (buy one get one free) and your nutritionist will still clear them for use:)

I don't get fancy chewable calcium. I get the rock hard june bug sized Calcium citrate monsters....and just hold them in my mouth with a swig of hot coffee until they start to errode. Then, I just munch them up into paste and swallow them. The taste isn't that bad, and the cost is exponentially less. I used to put them through a pill crusher and eat the dust with sugar free Cool Whip.

My multi vitamins are Store Brand (equivilant to Flinstone's Complete) kid's chewable vitamins in animal shapes...lol. I take two a day. I don't mind them.

I also take extra B Complex, B12 and D (because I'm deficient living in the north). I buy whatever's cheapest or pick up a sale on Amazon.

B12 and D...you can chew, they're bland and not offensive.

But B Complex? Yikes...you don't ever want to chew that. Bleh!

Edited January 26, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

I’m just being considered for surgery with my clinic... My hubby is totally supportive but is wary of the post op costs, so following [emoji4]

Just had my final consult with my dietician before my surgery. I found out that my surgeon recommends two packets of Barilife vitamin powder everyday. It will end up costing around $30 a month. That is much better than I anticipated. https://www.barilife.com/product-category/bariatric-vitamins/complete-bariatric-multivitamin-powder/

I can get my vitamins thru my surgeon for comparable cost. I think I'll try that for awhile, if they agree with me it will be one less hurdle to jump.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

Has anyone experienced the potential depression post-op? How common is it? I haven’t had my surgery yet

On 1/26/2018 at 2:39 PM, Creekimp13 said:

My multi vitamins are Store Brand (equivilant to Flinstone's Complete) kid's chewable vitamins in animal shapes...lol. I take two a day. I don't mind them.

YAY! Another Flinstone kid, like me! hahaha I swear, finding out I can take those was the best thing ever. Those giant bariatric vitamins are the worst!! Taking two was like torture for me.