people interested and inquisitive about the DS

I get lots of private messages on this OH site with people interested and inquisitive about the DS. Not only pre-ops, but a lot of post-ops of other surgery types. They are amazed with my food choices and what I am able to eat and not get sick, negative side effects or gain weight.

They also ask me about the vitamins I have to take and if I am required to take 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily as the other DSers do. I tell them honestly, that even with the RnY, you still have to take certain and various vitamins for life. I usually tell them it is not the quantity, but the type you need to take and it is adjusted accordingly with each blood result as needed. I also inform them that each DSer take different type of vitamins and nutrients since we are all not alike. But, there is 2 basic vitamins and supplements that is a must and minimum requirement to survive and be healthy as a DSer, which are multivitamins and calcium citrate. As long as those 2 are the core to the daily regime, anything else taken is based according to each's health and blood test. The requirement needed may change with time or if there are any deficiencies or high value that may be considered excessive or out of range.

One thing, that must be taken into consideration is the use of taking megadoses of certain vitamins and/or nutritients that may cause toxicity, adverse reaction and allergies to either food or your surroundings. The megadoses usage also includes post-ops with malabsorption issues. Some DSers take 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 every single day. That is an option and not required or considered mandatory. I do not need to take such amount daily. Taking 50,000 IU once a week or 2-3 times a week is suffice and safe for the body. Taking it every single day and for a long time is questionable and if longterm use causes any effects to the health that may not be positive. It should be done with observation to monitor diligently, take awareness at the amount and length of time and have knowledge that such extremely high and excessive amount taken every single day for a long period of time may affect your health in a negative manner.

I take Drisdol which is vitamin D2 calciferol. Vitamin D3 is Cholecalciferol. Although, it is D2 ergocalicerol, its main purpose is for my body to absorb the calcium from the stomach and to help with the functioning of calcium in the body. It is what is meant for my condition and what is being monitored. Ergocalciferol is for treatment of vitamin D deficiency osteomalacia, hypoparathyroidism and hypophosphatemia, which is an electrolyte imbalance.

There are those who take D3 at 50,000 IU daily. That is fine for them as long as they know how to monitor the amount they are consuming safely, that is suitable for their needs and how it improves their health. It all comes down to your current medical health, what your blood results are saying, what disorders or deficencies you have and what are the proper treatment of medication and nutrients for your body as well as health needs. Vitamins and nutritients are revised as needed per person and according to deficiency or current values of interest.

For those who want to take solely to whoever is on the net giving advise regarding vitamins, etc, should know, it is NOT on a professional level to dispense, but personal views and opinions, To each their own. I prefer to work with my medical staff who are medically trained and licensed in medicine and health care. I will not place my life or health to rely on a person I don't know of their background, if they have licensure in healthcare or nutritional education from any salesperson with a pitch because they say so and so works for them or others. The job of a salesperson is to make that sell using whatever tactic they can to convince you and make that profit. It may work for some, but with other factors in our health should be considered and what is the longterm effects taking such, I work with what is needed for my current health and adjust as needed. If I need to take D3, it will show in my blood results and will work with adding it, if needed to improve my health.

People can take megadoses of 50,000 IU vitamin D3 daily for a short set time. But, NOT for a prolong period or even permanently as for the rest of your life on a daily basis. You have to be realistic and truely understand what you are doing and how it actually works and affects you when taking it longterm. Your body is not meant to take megadoses every single day for months or even years. Just like medications, vitamins and nutrients have to be adjusted with time. People have to ask questions to the medical professionals, physicians, research it online or even verify the source indepth that taking extreme amount known as megadoses of D3 at 50,000 IU daily for a prolong amount of time might cause vitamin D toxicity. You are able to take vitamin D in high doses, for a temporary amount of time and be safe and healthy for you, but not for too long amount of time. Take it for certain amount of weeks will not cause harm to your health. Taking it for a prolong period or even permanently will cause toxicity from calcium formation that will harm your organs, such as your kidneys, heart and lungs. This is permanent damage to your organs.

Buyer beware and do your background inestigation, research and homework. Don't rely, depend or take a person's recommendation to sell you stuff as being the sure thing at face value. Salesperson's job is to convince you to buy their product and on a regular basis as you become a recurring client to their sales. Taking megadoses of vitamin D3 for short period is OK. But for prolong period or to take it permanently, you have to be aware of its consequences to your health. Below is my current regime of vitamins and supplement. It varies as time goes by, being constantly readjusted:

When I wake up:
1 Bariatic Advantage Iron Chewable (29mgs)

Breakfast time:
1 Centrum Performance multivitamin
2 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate (800mgs)

After Breakfast Snack:
1 Bariatric Advantage High ADEK Multivitamin Chewable

Lunch:
1 Centrum Performance multivitamin
2 Bariatric Advantage Calicum Citrate Chewables (800mgs)

Dinner:
1 Centrum Performance multivitamin
2 Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewables (800mg)

After Dinner Snack:
1 Bariatric Advantage High ADEK Mulitivitamin Chewable

Before Bedtime:
1 Bariatric Advantage Iron Chewable (29mgs)

2x a week:
Solaray Dry Vitamin E (400 IU per serving)
Jarrow Formulas Biotin 5mg

1x a week:
Drisdol, Calciferol Vitamin D2 (50,000 IU)

The following regime is working very well for my current situation. My blood work has not shown any deficiencies and my body is not showing any signs or symptoms of deficiencies either. If there are any signs, symptoms or results of deficiencies, it will be reevaluated and adjusted accordingly.