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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member Marsh17's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/27/2018
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    08-27-2018 04:08 AM
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    H-TOWN
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    Question Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Hi there,
    I realize with the gastric sleeve surgery Vitamins will be a part of my life forever and with this it will bring an additional cost. I noticed in the physicians offices I have been to they seem to sell B.A. I wondered if there was an independent lab that tested vitamins to ensure what we are paying for we are getting. More importantly if our bodies are dependent upon them I wanted to make sure I was giving my body what it needed. I ran across a company which I think provides a great deal of information on the vitamins available. While they can not test every vitamin they do test a lot. I'm not sure if I can mention their name here so I have omitted it. If I can let me know and I will post it. I now check this site before I buy my vitamins to make sure I am getting what is actually posted on the label. They also test protein drinks, powders, etc. There are great articles on the site which I find helpful. Has anyone else found any information on the quality of vitamins. Thanks!

  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member BamaBrit's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Carla
    Surgery date
    01/10/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Jay Suggs
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last Activity
    09-17-2018 08:39 AM
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    As far as cost goes the best place to buy vitamins and supplements is Walgreens hands down. They usually have buy one get one deals. I if you want a chewable the flonstones complete plus iron is the way to go. Also take a biotin supplement, too. I like biotin gummies myself. I’m on two multivitamins. I take one in the am and one in the PM. A prenatal vitamin is the best. Also be sure to take your calcium two hours before or after your multivitamin.



  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member BamaBrit's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Carla
    Surgery date
    01/10/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Jay Suggs
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last Activity
    09-17-2018 08:39 AM
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Oh yeah. Forgot to mention I also take a sublingual B12 liquid. Be sure to keep an eye on your B1 (thiamine) count when you have blood work done.



  5. #4
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    All I know is after about 3 years when I told my nutritionist I switched to the generic Walmart multivitamin she was aghast! She told me they had no iron and other extra stuff we need. Who knows if that is true or not, but I did switch back to the ProCare Health Bariatric Multivitamins with 25 mg Iron. Now I take the capsules (once a day), in the beginning they also came in tiny chewables. My local HyVee grocery store carries them, or you can get them online.

    I would love to hear medical research on if these are really necessary, especially now that I eat a pretty typical, healthy diet. (Makes sense early on when you are eating practically nothing.)

  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Marsh17's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/27/2018
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    08-27-2018 04:08 AM
    Location
    H-TOWN
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    According to my docs and from what I have read you have to take the vitamins for life. When I asked why they said because the stomach is so much smaller and does not absorb the amount of vitamins/nutrients that a normal size stomach will.

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  8. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  9. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member BamaBrit's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Carla
    Surgery date
    01/10/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Jay Suggs
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last Activity
    09-17-2018 08:39 AM
    Posts
    123
    Said "Thanks" 100 Times
    Was Thanked 90 Times in 51 Posts
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Thgs what I was told too. Vitamins and supplements for life.



  10. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member DHB's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Dale
    Surgery date
    11/14/2017
    Surgeon
    Kathrine Lamond
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Last Activity
    03-18-2019 09:24 AM
    Location
    Chevy Chase, MD
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    460
    Said "Thanks" 615 Times
    Was Thanked 416 Times in 264 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 141 Times

    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Both my PCP & surgeon made me swear I’d stay on bariatric vitamins every day for the rest of my life. They both warned against taking “regular” vitamins. Also recent research showed that sleeve patients (including men & post menopause women) need 25-45g of supplemental iron and high doses of B12, D & calcium bc the sleeve absorption for these is poor.

    There are lists on various bariatric sites showing the recommended levels of supplements by vitamin that sleeved patients need. Just be sure you are getting all of those. My nutritionist said several bariatric brands seem to work well but she says the patch vitamins don’t have enough data in to prove effective.


    Beginning weight: 265
    Weight at surgery: 255
    M1: 240 (-15)
    M2: 232(-8)
    M3: 227 (-5)
    M4: 221 (-6)
    M5: 215 (-6)
    M6: 210 (-5)

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  12. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Marsh17's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/27/2018
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    08-27-2018 04:08 AM
    Location
    H-TOWN
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    My docs said the same thing about the patch.

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  14. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    01/11/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Forrester
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    03-24-2018 12:38 PM
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    NJ
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Well, I suck at taking stuff. I probably stopped taking all vitamins at 6 months out. I just had my 1 year bloodwork and had not been taking any vitamins and am only low on folic acid and D. I was surprised and thrilled since I hadn't been taking anything.

    As far as price, Costco hands down.



    Surgery Day Weight 1/11: 300
    Month 1: -34 pounds, -25 inches

  15. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member Dutchie's Avatar
    Name
    Simonne
    Surgery date
    01/03/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Pablo Enriquez Valens
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Last Activity
    07-05-2020 12:35 AM
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    I have been taking over-the-counter drugstore vitamins from the get-go.
    I had several blood checks since and never deficiencies.
    For me that is good enough.
    My endocrinologist was also very happy with my results.
    I don't care much for doctors insisting that you you should take only their vitamins.
    They probably work on commission.
    English is not my first language anymore, so I may and do make mistakes in my spelling, or say things oddly. Please ask me, if you want any clarifications.



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  17. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member DHB's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Dale
    Surgery date
    11/14/2017
    Surgeon
    Kathrine Lamond
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Last Activity
    03-18-2019 09:24 AM
    Location
    Chevy Chase, MD
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    460
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    I should also mention that my PCP was most concerned about B12 deficiency which can lead to severe neurological problems. It is especially common in older women and those of northern European decent, both of whom seem to have a much lower rate of absorption after all bariatric surgeries. (I tried to find the research but can't seem to locate it but you can read about it here: http://www.laparoscopic.md/weight-lo...ts/vitamin-b12.) It's very serious and happens quickly. Since I'm in both risk categories I take a B12 supplement every few days on top of my regular vitamin. It's generally available in spray or sublingual so even those who hate taking vitamins can easily take it. You can also get a monthly injection if you need it.


    Beginning weight: 265
    Weight at surgery: 255
    M1: 240 (-15)
    M2: 232(-8)
    M3: 227 (-5)
    M4: 221 (-6)
    M5: 215 (-6)
    M6: 210 (-5)

  18. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member Marsh17's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/27/2018
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    08-27-2018 04:08 AM
    Location
    H-TOWN
    Posts
    121
    Said "Thanks" 16 Times
    Was Thanked 77 Times in 58 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 24 Times

    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    DHB, Have you ever tried Nascobal nasal spray for B12? One of the surgeons in our area prescribes this for all of his patients. It is expensive $400.

  19. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member Ann2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Ann2
    Surgery date
    08/18/2014
    Surgeon
    n.a.
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    6,630
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    IMHO, the important thing to test is not the vitamins, but your body's response to the vitamins you're taking.

    I'm 3.5 years post-op, and after losing all my excess weight, I have a post-bariatric surgery blood panel test once a year before my annual "surgiversary" visit to my surgeon's office. (He invites all his patients to check in once a year for the rest of their lives -- and I'm very happy to have that connection to him/them.)

    Everything on me was fine until this past year when my iron was BARELY within normal range (on the low side), so I've been taking an iron supplement ever since.

    Since Day One, I've taken:

    Multivitamin (I use Walmart's once-a-day equivalent of the Centrum multi-vitamin-mineral)
    B12 - a sublingual pill
    Iron (since last August)
    Extra calcium / D (I'm 72 years old, so hey!)

    I also take (for various reasons):
    Fish oil with vitamin E - for inflammation (arthritis, etc.)
    Probiotic
    Biotin

    Some of this is very specific to me. And I expect to take minerals / vitamins and various supplements for the rest of my life. Depending on my blood test results, they may change from time to time.

    Hey, it's an easy thing to do.

    And for the record, I now eat SO much better (nutritionally-speaking) than I ever did pre-op.

    So get your annual blood tests, people! Don't assume your body will always respond in the same way forever after.



    Consult: 235 lbs
    My and doc's preop diet: 216 -19 lbs
    M1 postop 205 -30
    M2 193 -42
    M3 184 -51
    M4 174 -61
    M5 167 -68
    M6 162 -73
    M7 156 -79
    M8 151 -84
    M9 148 -87
    M10 146 -89
    M11 144 -91
    M12 143 -92
    M13 142 -93
    M14 140 -95
    M15 139 -96
    M16 137 -98
    M17 135 -100

    First Surgiversary post

    Second Surgiversary post

    Third Surgiversary post

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    DHB

  21. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member DHB's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Dale
    Surgery date
    11/14/2017
    Surgeon
    Kathrine Lamond
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Last Activity
    03-18-2019 09:24 AM
    Location
    Chevy Chase, MD
    Posts
    460
    Said "Thanks" 615 Times
    Was Thanked 416 Times in 264 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 141 Times

    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Quote Originally Posted by Marsh17 View Post
    DHB, Have you ever tried Nascobal nasal spray for B12? One of the surgeons in our area prescribes this for all of his patients. It is expensive $400.
    No, didn't know about that. But there are so many cheaper ways to get B12 that seem pretty effective.


    Beginning weight: 265
    Weight at surgery: 255
    M1: 240 (-15)
    M2: 232(-8)
    M3: 227 (-5)
    M4: 221 (-6)
    M5: 215 (-6)
    M6: 210 (-5)

  22. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Name
    dBrusky
    Surgery date
    03/15/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Last Activity
    05-11-2019 10:35 PM
    Location
    AZ
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    20
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    Default Re: Independent Testing of Vitamins - Has anyone checked their vitamins?

    Does anyone know of any good tasting liquid vitamins? I get sleeved 3/15/18. THANK YOU!


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