If you have halfway decent insurance and you’re running to anemia, despite trying to juggle the timing of and endure the gut issues from oral iron, I would urge you to ask for a referral (or self refer) to a hematologist, and ask for iron infusions. Then you never have to deal with taking iron again.
Ask for a hematologist who is familiar with bariatric patients who don’t absorb oral iron, or who is willing to learn.
I’m pleased to have just found one in AZ - my last infusion was 4.5 years ago in CA, and I found a good one on my first try. Had one infusion of Injectofer on Tuesday, second and final one on Wednesday. I expect to last another 4 years from this one.
Complain bitterly about your gut issues from the iron, and how it makes it impossible to take the calcium you need without giving yourself an anal fissure.