I'm almost four months post-op and I've had two labs so far to check everything. And all of my levels are fine :-) The only trick for me was remembering to take the vitamins because I wasn't used to that. In the beginning I didn't like the taste of the first batch I bought, but I've eventually found some that I love. (CelebrateVitamins soft chews) My grand total for the day is: 3 calcium soft chews, 2 multi soft chews, 3 iron chewables and 3 D3 drops. I have them all spaced out during the day and by now it's become second nature to take them. (I put reminders in my phone, lol) I was also using a once a week B-12 but had to stop because my B-12 levels were off the chart! So I am happy to report that I've had no problems with nutrition. And I feel great!

I take a senior multivitamin per day ,a calcium pill, an iron pill and a potassium pill. I am 3 years post op and have no issues. My last blood work was fine. We need a complete blood test every year if not more often to insure that we are getting the vitamins we need. You just have to take care of yourself. No biggie. Don't let it scare you.
I try to eat fresh fruit daily too. Bananas, apples, oranges what ever sounds good. Protein is important to. There are a lot of protein bars around. There's the powders and drinks too. I get high protein yogurt too.
When you buy vitamins just look at the label and buy ones that have all that your clinic recommends.

It took me a long time to find my "perfect" vitamin for me pre-op and having over 2 years post op, when I was vitamin tested in Dec 2014, all my vitamins were just fine I also take a B-12 vitamin at my PCP doctor's request. My B-12 was "OVER" the amount that was needed so I have backed off some on my B-12. I too worried about my vitamins after surgery and having gotten a vitamin testing that came out that on my vitamins, I did not need anything was a fantastic feeling. I keep taking the same chews but I am a little tired of their taste (they only have one flavor. My encouragement is to keep taking your vitamins and if you feel bad, discuss a vitamin test with your doctor although you should be aware that most insurances will not pay for more than one test per vitamine per year and some places just do not have a full vitamin screening.

Vitamin needs and likes will change with time. I'm finally at the point where I can swallow even those gigantic dailies and calcium pills. I used liquid and chews for almost the first year. It's nice to be able to take "regular" vitamin supplements and much less expensive! I puked a lot of vitamins my first 6 months. It's essential to your health and healing to test regularly and stay on top of it.

At first I took all the recommended vitamins. I have never had iron or anemia problems. I have gotten blood tests every 3 months until this year which is every 6 months now. I see my primary for these. I had low D before surgery and 10,000 keeps me level. I had to start K a while back but those numbers are good now. I really haven't had any problems because I stay on top of everything. That is key. And absorption. I take liquid multis, chews, and sublinguals for single vitamins because they absorb better. It works great for me. Oh, and I'm 5 years out. I don't think cheaping out is the way to go when it comes to vitamins and our health. We also have to be the ones to pay attention, do our own research, and tell the doctors what we need.

Last year I started getting thin skin that tore and bruised easily. After researching and finding that it can happen with wls people I asked my dr to test for vitamin K. It has worked great and my arms are good now. Again, the key is to pay attention, do your own research, and get regular blood tests to stay on top of things. I have never had any serious problems because I believe in quality vitamins that are taken regularly and with regular blood testing.

I take a daily bariatric multivitamin (Bariatric Advantage). Twice a week I take Ultimate Iron, a supplement to help me avoid anemia. Once a week, I take a sublingual B12 tablet. That is all that is required for my PO GBS management. However, I take other supplements for other reasons:

Flax seed oil (antioxidant)
Prevased (brain supplement)
Biotin (to help my aging hair)
Vitamin C (because taking it, I haven't had a cold in a decade).
OsteoBiflex and Sam-E (for my poor old joints)

Hope this helps.

I am 7mos post op at my 6 mo appt I was told I could switch to taking womens one a day, 2x a day(cheaper than bariatric vits) I take 1500 mg of calcium so 500 3x a day, I also take a super b complex, vit c and a vit d 1000 (because I took all of those prior to surgery as well) I also still take my omega 3 , biotin 10,000(I have alot of hair loss) and a probiotic every day. No issues with blood work but I do have a lot of hair loss, which they tell me can last of up to 1 yr. I had thin fine hair to begin with so it is very bothering to me, I just try to remain optimistic that by next summer I will have a full head of hair again(I hope) email bariatric vitamin companies now and get samples from them and your doctor so you know which vitamins and calciums you will like.

My daily list of supplements is a multi vitamin, Calcium chews with D and K, omeprazole, fiber tablet, probiotic and every other week a B12 sublingual tab. I have no problems getting plenty of meat in my diet so B12 hasn't been an issue, in fact was high when I took it weekly.

I'm about 5 1/2 years out and just had labs done a couple weeks ago - I was a bit low in D but everything else was good.

I take:

2 multi-viamins (am & pm)
Calcium Citrate (6 a day)
biotin
sublingual B12 (3 X a week)
Vitamin C (I can't eat fruit)
probiotic
Omega 3
Vitamin D
Follate
Beta Carotene

Yeah, it's a lot of supplements - but there isn't much variety in what I eat, so I want to make sure I'm covered!

I've heard about some of the negative groups out there. Yikes. DS is home for me!

JJ