After having your regular post-op blood testing done your doctor may decide you need to have certain vitamin supplementation. If so here are some pointers to help you. Some supplements should be taken with food or before food or even no food at all. I have made some notes from the instructions my doctor gave me. I hope this will help you too.


Vitamin A:
25,000 Units a day taken with food
It would be good to use a combination of Beta-Carotene 15,000 IU along with Vitamin A 10,000 IU
It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your Vit. A level checked.



Vitamin B-12:
500 mcg. taken by mouth with food. This also comes sublingual which is placed under the tongue until it dissolves before swallowing. Another method is intra-nasal which is sprayed into your nose. Do not take more than 500 mcg a day, unless directed by your doctor.

*It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your serum Vitamin-B12 level checked.



Vitamin B-12 injections:
If this is needed you will be instructed by your doctor.



Vitamin D:
400 IU tablet taken 3 times a day, with food or just after a full meal in addition to any other multivitamins or chewables you are taking. The best results may be found from the water-suspendable type which is better absorbed by your intestines. *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your Vitamin-D level checked.


Vitamin D Injections.
If this is needed you will be instructed by your doctor.


Calcium:
This should always be decided by your doctor. But the important thing to remember is that Calcium should be taken at bedtime to prevent competition for absorption. *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your serum Calcium level checked.


Iron:
Usually one Hemocyte tablet or one Fer-In-Sol liquid iron one hour before or two hours after eating. And your doctor will tell you how many times a day to do this. It is important to take it with water or juice and NOT with tea, coffee, or an antacid - which will prevent it being absorbed into your body. *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your iron level checked.


Magnesium:
One 250 mg tablet of magnesium oxide taken with food of just after a full meal. Your doctor will tell you how many times a day to do this. *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your serum magnesium level checked.


Potassium:
The best results for this supplement comes from Micro-K. This is a capsule which you have to pull apart and put the contents in a food item, like apple sauce. Do not swallow this capsule whole, due to your bodies lack of ability to dissolve the capsule outer casing. Your doctor will tell you how many of these capsules and how often to take them. *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your potassium level checked.


Zinc:
Take one 50 mg zinc tablet with food or just after a full meal Your doctor will tell you how many times a day to do this. You may encounter this as Zinc Sulfate, it is the same just listed differently chemically - Except that it takes 220 mg of Zinc Sulfate to equal a 50 mg Zinc tablet. If you have difficulty tolerating zinc pills, try the lozenges that dissolve on your tongue.

 *It would also be a good idea, that after 90 days you should return to your doctor’s office to have your serum zinc level checked.


An important thing to remember is that if you are going to have your blood drawn for testing, you must have nothing by mouth, except water, after midnight the day of the test. This means you should talk to your doctor about any medication you would be scheduled to take during this time. Most doctors will have you discontinue taking vitamin and/or mineral supplements within 48 hours of having your blood drawn.