Hi Kecwn......here's a good article on B9 or folic acid deficiency and the foods that will also negate a supplement and i hate to say that ice cream is one of them. With age we normally decline in our ability to absorb the B vitamins. Your Mom especially should also be checked for Bl2 deficiency as most of us especially the females seem to loose our Bl2 supply in short order if we've had a neobladder or indiana pouch and or dependent on which part of the intestine they re-sected. Mine was gone in 3 months time and i have to have a Bl2 shot every month....lack of Bl2 can cause all kinds of problems along with B9 deficiency. Take a look at the article and i would also strongly suggest due to her age that she see a cardiologist for a workup.
With folic acid the recommended dosage is 400mcg's which you will find in almost any multivitamin but it is water soluable so going up with an additional folic acid supplement won't hurt her. What is your doctors suggestion?
But do insist on the Bl2 test...preferably the MMA test which is a urine test and more reliable even if doctors pooh pooh it.
www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/folic_acid_deficiency_anemia.jsp
Here's some info on the Bl2 MMA test
www.b12.com/
Hope you find a solution..my best to your mom. Its a tough surgery at any age................Pat