MiladyB

Hi Shelly. You've gotten excellent information from "supplements". He is totally right about the whey isolate. It is important that you look for Isolate. It can be whey or soy but the important word is isolate. You may have bought whey protein concentrate.

The isolate is the most absorbable of proteins out there in regards to supplements. You will want to look at the ingredients. If a protein says whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, etc....then no go. You have no idea what the percentage is of the concentrate because the label doesn't tell you. You also want to avoid hydrolyzed or collagen type protein. Again, look at the ingredients label.

Besides the whey isolate being the most absorbable it also has what is known as a "complete" amino acid profile. There are 8 essential amino acids that our bodies need to run. You need to be taking a protein supplement that contains all 8 of those amino acids in the right quantity. If you are buying isolate you can be assured that it has all of the amino acids and they are in the correct quantity.

If you are taking supplements that don't have all of the amino acids your body needs your body will start breaking down muscle to get those amino acids, which includes your heart. Early postop when you are pretty much surviving on just those protein supplements you are running a risk if you are taking a supplement that isn't complete. Later on when you are getting in at least 500 calories from regular food that risk will decrease because the food that you will be eating will more than likely have those amino acids that your supplement may not have. Does that make any sense?

In regards to your vitamins? Basicly you will need to do some detective work. I have a thread that contains a chart telling you what you need to look for in your vitamin. There are certain amounts and certain forms that are the most absorbable. Many of the multi-vitamins out there, that weren't developed for bariatric patients just don't have vitamins that have the right amounts or the right form.

The better bariatric vitamins that are out there can be found at these sites:
www.celebratevitamins.com (I'm the most impressed by these)
www.bbvitamins.com
www.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog




Here are some past threads you may find helpful to read:
Is all protein created equal?
Flintstones vs. Bariatric Vitamins
Are you sure you're getting all the calcium you think you are?
Vitamins-How much? What kind?

Hope those help

__________________
~Beth~

Little Victories; Grand Rapids, MI
Bariatric Support Group

Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol,
peripheral vein disease, joint pain and 210 lbs GONE!!


Century Club: July 3, 2006
ONE-derland: Dec. 22, 2006
Double Century: May 29, 2007
Goal: June 15, 2008

Lap RNY: 1/30/06-Dr Randal Baker
TT/BL: 09/21/07-Dr Ronald Ford
PS Revisions: 04/29/08-Dr Ronald Ford
Gallbladder: 05/14/08-Dr Randal Baker
Emergency surgery (Intussusception): 02/29/09-Dr James Foote