I hate taking vitamins, and I must admit, sometimes I do, but often I don't. I hate them. I justify it because I had the sleeve and it is not a surgery that creates mal-absorption (sp?). Am I crazy? I am only 2 months (tomorrow) post op, and wondering how bad my checkups will be. Is there anyone out there who also did not take their vitamins after getting sleeved, and have no issues with vitamin levels? Anyone who DID have issues?

You really should take your vitamins, since you are not getting enough from just your food intake because we can only each such small amounts. You need calcium for your bones, teeth etc and multi-vitamin for whatever you are lacking in your food intake and B12 for energy and perhaps some others reasons...I do not think you will find anyone on this forum that will tell you that it's ok not to take them.

Although almost all of us here are on plans that vary based on each program and surgeon BUT one thing that we can all agree on is that we are ALL required/advised to take vitamins and it's for our best interest.

So put cha big girl panties on and just do it...It will be very beneficial in the long run. You got this love. ?

I am not a soft touch. I am direct. Feel free to ignore my post.

You said "I hate them. I justify it. wondering how bad my checkups will be ?" Your choice to take them or not.

A cancer patient is doing chemotherapy treatments. I person who had a leg amputated is learning to walk with a prosthetic leg. They would gladly trade places with us for our bariatric struggles.

And in that vein, many complain about family members especially adult children not understanding why Mom thinks she needs to do This. I had a son who died 11 years next month at the age of 31. I wish every day my Kevin could have seen me make a success of Bariatric Surgery because he would have been So Proud. And he would have been a Great Supporter, his little brother the Tomkitten is great support, but I often wonder why I couldn't have both my boys in my corner at this point in life. And the doctor who allowed his death, because he was not medically compentant. to intervene is still practicing medicine with great impunity. And I do rage at the unfairness of it all!????

I haven't had my RNY yet, but from my research it is non-negotiable for both sleeve and RNY patients-- both must take vitamins! RNY just requires more. Do you really want to risk your long term health? It is part of what you signed up for! So, find some vitamins and calcium you like and just do it. [emoji846]

Hi there- I have had a tough time with the vitamins, but taking them with a few adjustments from my doctor because of issues I am having. but I will say this, you may need to find the right combo are you still taking chewable? if so can you talk to you dr about a different one you can take? my doctor told me that the first three months it is so important to take the vitamins, and Ideally that we should continue taking them, realistically she mentioned she has a lot of sleeve patients who stop taking them. good luck and talk to you dr and nut!

If you don't take your daily vitamins it will catch up to you eventually,maybe not tomorrow,but it will.

Nopety nope nope.

Take those vitamins.

And also listen to Auntie Frustr8,keep your protein levels up! On 6th day of hospitalization, didn't have enough by mouth, I wasn't healing, especially my ulcers, I have now a PICC line and will be dismissed with it, have been on TPN for the past 3 days and nights to get me up where I belong, will go home today if discharges are approved by Medicare and Ohio Medicaid, 3/4 packed but can't finish until I know for sure! Doctor said TODAY,nurses think tomorrow, ME I just don't know! We definitely got to all get on the SAME PAGE!

4 hours ago, sleeveme7781 said:

I hate taking Vitamins, and I must admit, sometimes I do, but often I don't. I hate them. I justify it because I had the sleeve and it is not a surgery that creates mal-absorption (sp?). Am I crazy? I am only 2 months (tomorrow) post op, and wondering how bad my checkups will be. Is there anyone out there who also did not take their vitamins after getting sleeved, and have no issues with Vitamin levels? Anyone who DID have issues?

How bad?...BAD

I am not a fan of chewable multivitamins (tried the usual suspects, including once daily tabs...all made me gag/ shudder with subsequent nausea...more than once a day was never going to happen...disgusting). I ordered BariLife complete multivitamin powder (includes calcium and iron...not sure how that works?, but I digress...twice daily mix, with water), but haven't even tried it because while waiting for the delivery, I tried BP once daily multivitamin capsules and haven't looked back. Easy(er) to swallow, no "chewable aftertaste", no film on your teeth or floating particles that won't go down, no nausea (this is not meant to be a plug for any particular product, but just my experience). Levels will be drawn in a month...

Find what you can tolerate (trial and error) and just take them! After all you have been through with surgery, why would you even risk it?!

I am new to all this.. My Dr. doesn't start vitamins till a month after surgery.. which will be this coming weekend. I do know that if you skip your vitamins you will be deficient in a lot of nutrients due to the restricted amount of intake on food. You could end up in the hospital. I would be careful and make sure you follow your doctors orders.

My doc might work slightly differently, but he doesn’t prescribe anything. He sort of says that multivitamins are fine to take, but he prefers to do blood panels every 6 months and see if there’s a deficiency that way and treat it when there’s proof.

I know the overwhelming majority of people here are put on a pretty strict vitamin regimen, and I did question him about it, but he’s been at the top of his field for a long time and his explanation of his approach made sense (he’s also one of the docs that doesn’t make you go liquid pre-op until 24 hours, and also doesn’t have any draconian post-op longterm diet rules). I do take multivitamins occasionally and have some calcium chews I snag when I remember, but that’s mostly because of everything I read here from others with more prescriptive regimens.

Bottom line: do what your doc says, but also make them explain their rationale so you can decide if you agree with it

Mine said "any multivitamin will do" when I asked what he recommended. So I don't even need to take special bariatric vitamins, except I do coz I want to make sure. I take a once-a-day capsule (UK brand), plus Celebrate calcium plus OTC iron (Galfur), plus biotin and chromium. Can't remember why I'm taking the chromium, I'll probably stop once the bottle runs out.

well i have been experiencing side pain and had a ct scan done finding i may have nephrocalcinosis which is calcium build up in kidney. This can lead to kidney failure at worse case scenario, so i am electing to stop the calcium caltrate. When i had my stomac scan prior to surgery they told me my stomach is not the usual oval like shape, its actually oblonged and explains why i never felt full. So although my stomach is smaller i can still get in a full meal (ie protien, side and some veggies) so i dont think im lacking in vitamins and explains the excessive levels thus far. I have made my doctor aware of my decision and ill get follow up labs and ct scan in like 6 months.

37 minutes ago, Njgurl said:

well i have been experiencing side pain and had a ct scan done finding i may have nephrocalcinosis which is Calcium build up in kidney. This can lead to kidney failure at worse case scenario, so i am electing to stop the calcium caltrate. When i had my stomac scan prior to surgery they told me my stomach is not the usual oval like shape, its actually oblonged and explains why i never felt full. So although my stomach is smaller i can still get in a full meal (ie protien, side and some veggies) so i dont think im lacking in Vitamins and explains the excessive levels thus far. I have made my doctor aware of my decision and ill get follow up labs and ct scan in like 6 months.

Oh WOW many hugs I am so sorry, I would reach out to your Dr as well and talk to them about it!

On 12/3/2018 at 7:49 AM, sleeveme7781 said:

I hate taking Vitamins, and I must admit, sometimes I do, but often I don't. I hate them. I justify it because I had the sleeve and it is not a surgery that creates mal-absorption (sp?). Am I crazy? I am only 2 months (tomorrow) post op, and wondering how bad my checkups will be. Is there anyone out there who also did not take their vitamins after getting sleeved, and have no issues with Vitamin levels? Anyone who DID have issues?

I continue to take my vitamins 4 years out. Right after my surgery, a group of us bariatric patients were talking to a fifty-ish woman whose husband had just been sleeved. She told us she had had a bypass ten years ago. Then she pulled out her teeth and took off her cap to show us her severely damaged hair and said, "Folks, do as your doctor says and as I didn't do: take your #@&* vitamins!" Scared me spitless; I can still see her fitting her teeth back into her mouth.

If you are skipping vitamins, you might want to make sure you get bloodwork done frequently and visit the dentist regularly to ensure everything is ok.

Edited December 14, 20187 yr by DanceSmartly