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B12 vs Sublingual B12 - can you help me with the difference



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I am feeling like it might help me to take some B12 for some extra energy boost in addition to the daily Multi-Vitamin and a daily Calcium chew I take. Was wondering if lapband patients are okay to take regular B12 pills and our body will absorb them fine. Versus - I think RNY patients have to take a sublingual B12 , which I think means one they can dissolve under their tongue so the body absorbs it better. If anyone can shed any light on this topic and how many mcg's you take, I would appreciate it. Also any special brand you like? I saw in the store the sublingual B12 were more expensive than the regular ones. Thanks.

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I am feeling like it might help me to take some B12 for some extra energy boost in addition to the daily multi-Vitamin and a daily Calcium chew I take. Was wondering if lapband patients are okay to take regular B12 pills and our body will absorb them fine. Versus - I think RNY patients have to take a sublingual B12 , which I think means one they can dissolve under their tongue so the body absorbs it better. If anyone can shed any light on this topic and how many mcg's you take, I would appreciate it. Also any special brand you like? I saw in the store the sublingual B12 were more expensive than the regular ones. Thanks.

The sublingual B12 is a required supplement from my surgeon along with my Multi-Vitamin, calcium, Biotin. Even though, I was told not to take the mult-vitamin and calcium together because the body will not absorb both together well. So I take one in the morning and one at night.

However, he suggest I only take the B12 one to two times a week. This has been a GREAT help for my energy level. I can surely see the difference when I run out of it for a couple of week.

By the way, I used no special brand. I did find a cheaper brand at Walmart (cherry flavor). Shop around.

Banded 12/17/07

Surgery 244.5

Current 184

Goal 165

Edited by smwww

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Many bypass patients get B-12 shots. I would HATE that. The sublingual does absorb better, and you actually utilize more of it. My doctor doesn't recommend a B-12 supplement routinely, but he always tests for it when I have blood work done. I've been perfect, so I don't need the extra. I take Bariatric Advantage mulit-vitamins, so they are specially formulated for us, so I guess they work.

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I am feeling like it might help me to take some B12 for some extra energy boost in addition to the daily multi-Vitamin and a daily Calcium chew I take. Was wondering if lapband patients are okay to take regular B12 pills and our body will absorb them fine. Versus - I think RNY patients have to take a sublingual B12 , which I think means one they can dissolve under their tongue so the body absorbs it better. If anyone can shed any light on this topic and how many mcg's you take, I would appreciate it. Also any special brand you like? I saw in the store the sublingual B12 were more expensive than the regular ones. Thanks.

B-12 is always good to take and it will def help with energy, sublingual would be the most convenient way to take it as it does not require a doctors visit and you can do it yourself, as you already know sublingual is something you put underneath your tongue and let it dissolve. It has proven that it works. Go to this website and it shows info on the b-12.

Bariatric Advantage - Bariatric Advantage Sublingual B-12 - Black Cherry (30 Count)

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I don't know that much about it but I think the oral B12 doesn't work for everyone - not just people with malabsorbtion (sp?) procedures. I think most RNY people go right to the injections.

My B12 was low and my doctor suggested taking the sublingual for awhile to see if it raised my levels. If it didn't, we'd do the monthly shots. Luckily, after a few months, my levels went back to normal so I never needed to do the injections.

I buy mine at Walmart and it's not that expensive.

I just read this when I did a google search:

Sublingual delivery lets your body absorb B Vitamins directly into the bloodstream through the numerous blood vessels underneath your tongue. This delivery completely bypasses your digestive system where it can lose much of its effectiveness. Bypassing your digestive system means maximum absorption.

Edited by Candle

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You dont absorb B12 is pill form as well as you do inject or sublingual. Sublingual is the 2nd best way to take b12- the first being injections. I take a SL B12 everyday along with a super b complex Vitamin. Great for my lagging energy..not to mention the b Vitamins are supposed to help your metabolism! B12 is the activity vitamin bc it helps with your energy.

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