Hey guys!

I have new insurance after having to do 2 years on medi-cal but my bariatric surgeon is not covered under my PPO so I can't go ask him this question, unfortunately.

I just ordered the celebrate complete multivitain with iron. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTD7E8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just realized from the label that it has 500mg of b-12 in it. Has anyone spoken to their doctor about this supplement and do they still have to take their b-12 on the side?

If no one knows, I will go ask my primary but I'd rather check here first.

Thanks!

Ok, so here's my thought. You MUST get a doc to follow you. Whichever it is...surgical team or PCP, you MUST have yearly blood work for your vitamin levels. To do anything else at your age is so reckless that I just can't even think about it...ok, there I got that off my chest.

Now, the other thing I'm thinking is that I have the same issue minus the iron, since I'm taking my iron separately. After surgery some vits aren't absorbed very well. This can be especially true of VSGs and B12--but not always.

I just figure I will pee out my vitamin's B12. So I also take my sublingual B12. I know I have a much better chance of absorbing the sublingual. And bottom line, if I'm getting regular blood tests, I'm gonna know if my B12 goes too high. Then I will back off on my sublingual and take it every 3rd or 4th day rather than every other day (1000mg every other day).

I take the celebrate multivitamin.

I was told to always take sublingual b 12 vitamin, so I do. I was b 12 deficicient before surgery so this is not new for me. I would supplement with the sublingual b 12 and make sure you have levels drawn.

b12 with the sleeve is a somewhat debatable point, as the intrinsic factor and absorption problem that is common with the bypass isn't nearly as pronounced; our program doesn't specify B12 supplementation at all for their VSG and DS patients - it's only used on as "as needed" basis. I was already taking some B12 as part of a B complex tablet for other issues long before surgery and didn't change anything and my B12 levels were always at the top or above the normal range on the lab tests; even today without any supplementation beyond the multivit, it still runs on the high side from diet alone, so I never got into the sublingual or injectable forms (and my multi is down to 2-3 per week.)

This far out, I would let your lab tests guide you as to what is needed - you may not need any at all beyond what is in the multi.