Gastric Bypass Surgery- A New Begining

July 18th 2005, A day that will always mark my new beginning. I had gastric bypass surgery on this date. A decision that was not easily made and came with many risks both immediately as well as in the long term. Looking back now I don't believe I had much of a choice but to have the gastric bypass surgery after one failed diet after another. The irony in this is that almost three years later a fairly balanced diet is what I have to maintain to feel good. What and how i eat is important not only to my physical health but also my mental health.

My pouch has pretty much relaxed and I can eat a pretty normal amount of food. But for some reason feel hungry more than usual. After some gastric bypass surgery research online I have now found out that this is pretty normal for the type of surgery I had. Since a certain crutial part of my intestine that absorbs what I injest was bypassed I know probably absorb roughly half of what I eat. So even if my calories are met I seem to feel hungry.

So what have I done to improve this. Well for one Research gastric bypass surgery . To better understand what to expect after gastric bypass surgery. Not just in the months and first year that follows but in the long run. The importance of continuing on the supplements that are required after gastric bypass surgery for life as well as the protein supplements. It only makes sense if we are not getting all of the vitamins and nutrients from the food we eat then we need to supplement. Not doing so after gastric bypass surgery will lead you to some possibly long term side affects.

Through my research I have found that the following supplements that need to be taken after gastric bypass surgery .

Vitamin Supplements

Begin these supplements with the Phase II diet.

Mandatory Every Day:
Suggested Schedule

I. Multiple Vitamins (one every day or two children’s chewable per day) ......................................................A.M.
II. Vitamin B12 (one 500 micrograms pill per day or injection of 1,000 mcg each month) ................................ A.M.
III. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 100 mg ........................................................................................................ A.M.
IV. Iron (once a day) ............................................................................................................... P.M. with Vitamin C
V. Vitamin C (500 to 1500 mgs per day)........................................................................................... P.M. with Iron
VI. Calcium (1000 mgs per day) ............................................................................... Mid-morning, Mid-afternoon
I.
Multiple Vitamins
Please choose ONE of the following options, if choosing an adult vitamin take once per day. If you
choose a children’s chewable vitamin, take two per day.
A.
Flintstones® or other chewable tablets.
B.
Theragram®, Centrum® or equivalent multivitamin (liquid only).
II.
Vitamin B-12 (500 micrograms per day pill or injection of 1000 mcg each month)
A.
Action: Necessary for blood cell formation; has role in metabolism of nervous tissue; is essential
for normal fat metabolism.
B.
Noted to benefit certain anemias, especially pernicious anemia. Related to growth.
III.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
A.
100 mg Thiamin by pill.
B.
Action: Essential to many metabolic processes including carbohydrate metabolism and healthy
nerve function.
C.
Do not stop this pill if you have nausea or vomiting, thiamin deficiency can occur if supplement is
omitted.
D.
Early thiamin deficiency symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, muscle pains, depression,
poor memory, sleep disturbances. Late symptoms include: edema, severe leg and muscle pain,
and neurological changes such as an unsteady gait, and neuropathy.
IV.
Iron (Please take ONE of the options below.)
A.
Feosol® 325 mg (Ferrous Sulfate) (65 mg Iron)
B.
Fergon® 240 mg (Ferrous Gluconate) (27 mg Iron)
C.
Slow FE® 160 mg (Ferrous Sulfate) (50 mg Iron)
D.
Niferex® 150 mg or Niferex® Elixir 10 cc per day
E.
Iron Gel Capsules (Generic Iron)
Administration:
Take the tablet with juice (preferably orange juice) or water, but not with milk or antacids. Don’t take
with food that may impair oral iron absorption (i.e., yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk, whole-grain breads
and cereals, tea and coffee). If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered, but don’t take
double dose.

Precautions:
To avoid staining teeth, do not crush tablets, or chew extended-release iron preparations.



Action:
Provides elemental iron, an essential component in the formation of hemoglobin (red blood cells).


Side Effects:
May turn stools black or green, May cause diarrhea or constipation.


V.
Vitamin C (500 to 1500 mg per day)
Action:
Enhances absorption of iron. Maintains intracellular cement substance with preservation of capillary
integrity. Promotes healing of wounds and reduces liability to infection. Essential for production of
connective tissue. Related in some way to biosynthesis of steroid hormones.
Drug Interactions:
Antacids, cholestyramine resin, cimetiaine, fluoroquinolones, and Vitamin E: decrease iron absorption.
Separate doses if possible.


VI.
Calcium (Please take ONE of the options below, 1000 mg per day)
A.
Tums® Carbonate (take two or three chewable)
B.
Calcium Carbonate (take one chewable tablet)
C.
Calcium Citrate (take one liquitab)
D.
Viactiv® Chewable (take two chewable)
Administration:
Take oral calcium 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals if GI upset occurs.


Precautions:
Avoid oxalic acid (found in rhubarb and spinach), phytic acid (in bran and whole cereals), and
phosphorus (in dairy products) in the meal preceding calcium consumption; these substances may
interfere with calcium absorption. Don’t take with iron (decreases the iron absorption).


Action:
Replaces and maintains calcium. Role in tooth and bone formation. Stimulates collagen formation
and tissue repair; involved in oxidation-reduction reactions.


Optional:

VII.
Zinc (10 to 20 mg per day)
Action:
Participates in synthesis and stabilization of proteins and nucleic acids in sub cellular and membrane
transport systems. Thought to promote hair growth.
VIII.
Stool Softener
(one to two per day or every other day, if iron causes constipation) ............................. May take with iron dose
Action:
Take daily or every other or third day to manage constipation. Be sure to purchase stool softener
without laxative additive.

By introducing many of vitamins back into my diet as I was not initially. My overall energy level and health improved.

Gastric bypass surgery is not something to be taken lightly. And much consideration should be taken before this choice is made. It is a tool to assist you in weight loss when all other avenues have been tried. It does not cure depression or your life. As the weight comes off you will feel better of course. But if you are prone to depression or anxiety this surgery will not cure you. In many cases if your mental state is not stable this surgery should probably not be an option as it has been proven to worsen some symptoms in severely depressed patients.