Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiency

[SoCalEm 54]

Hello! I’m about 6 weeks post op and have been really bad about taking both my multi chewable and Calcium Vitamins. It’s honestly been close to two weeks now, and I’m feeling very off. Tired, not able to focus much, loopy. I started taking them again three days ago but I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced the same thing?

[summerseeker 1,870]

Yes I have had this. I was so nauseated in the first weeks after surgery it was pointless taking extra tablets. The gummy vitamins seemed to make me more sickly and the soluble Calcium just would not go down. My dietician said ' just leave them for a while, you should have good enough stocks in your body to last you for a few weeks' I bought supermarket brand Vitamins with Iron [ I take 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening] and chewable Calcium and I have them after food. It is working for me. The tiredness is because you have had surgery and you need to take Nana naps if you need them. Some ladies find their emotions all over the place too, I did and I am way past menopause. Its strange what this surgery can do, I am still so glad I did it though.

[Arabesque 6,565]

Yes, much if what you are experiencing, the tiredness, doughy head, is from the surgery & the reduced diet. Your body has been through a lot & it’s probably telling you you need to rest & take it easy. Just healing is mentally, emotionally & physically exhausting. It will get better. Try sipping an electrolyte drink for a boost of energy.

Not getting all your Vitamins in the first week or so is okay but you need to make a concerted effort to take them every day. Our reduced food choices & small portions make it difficult to get in the vitamins & minerals our bodies need to function. The tiredness could be from low Iron which is not usual after surgery. Have you had a blood test lately to check your levels?

You may find once you’re in maintenance you won’t need to take them anymore. I stopped at about month 8, 2 months into maintenance with my surgeon’s approval because my blood work showed my levels were all great. I hate having to take meds so I was super happy.

Some vitamins can make you nauseous. Try a different brand. Split the dosage across the day. Make sure you take them with food.

Edited March 21, 2022 by Arabesque