Vitamin and Calcium help, please? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Iwant2Bthin · 08-16-2008, 08:18 PM

I know that this has been discussed before but I need help from all of you experts out there! I am preparing for my surgery and would like to get my "stuff" together. I need a chewable calcium supplement and multivitamin. Any suggestions? I was told to get Oscal with vitamin D. Is that ok? What else should I get that will be helpful?

mistymee · 08-16-2008, 08:25 PM

Here are all the posts that have been tagged with the 'vitamins' tag.. hopefully you'll find the info there:

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SDeRossett · 08-17-2008, 01:18 AM

Good Morning!

I was just at MMPC on Friday and they gave me this paper - RNY Vitamin Recommendations. You can order some vitamins on line or call. They are called Building Blocks Vitamins. The ph number is 877.419.1568 or you can order on line at Building Blocks - Essential Bariatric Supplements.

The recommendations on the sheet are:
Building Blocks Multiple Vitamin + 30 - 50 mg Ferrous Fumarate Iron

500 mg Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D 2x's a day = 1000 mg a day

Under the tips section:

Take calcium in individual doses throughout the day. Do not take with the Iron or within 1-2 hours of taking any medication since calcium can interfere with absorption.

Take the multi vitamin with minerals and the B12 and Iron before breakfast.

The web site listed has lots of chewables for all. The multi, calcium and the Iron. It also has the B12 in spray form. I just ordered a 3 month supply of the Multi, B12 and calcium. I've not used them before and am trying to get back on track, so how are they????? I talked to MiladyB and she said she was using them but recently found another brand and has switched, but I can't remember what she said. I think ordering on line with a 3 month supply is less expensive than buying them individually at the pharmacy plus they are geared toward RNY/GBS patients. There's also other things available on line like the protein and protein bars etc. Good luck in you quest to find what works for you.

Sharon

Sue0609 · 08-17-2008, 05:59 AM

I wouldn't buy more than a 30 day supply until you know you like a vitamin. I have the Building Blocks chewables and I can't stand the taste of the multi-vitamin. It makes me gag. I am going to switch to non-chewables.

Also, check with your nutritionist on when you are supposed to start taking them. I was told no vitamins until after my 2 week post-op appointment.

Corrine · 08-17-2008, 06:21 AM

I wouldn't recommend Oscal because it contains calcium carbonate and not calcium citrate.

The thing to look for is how much elemental calcium you're getting in a dose.

Chewable forms are available from Celebrate Vitamins, Building Blocks and Bariatric Advantage (there maybe others). Those companies also do chewable multivitamins. I've been impressed by Celebrate recently.

Tropical Oasis does a liquid version.

SDeRossett · 08-17-2008, 06:22 AM

Mmmm... yes that's probably a really good idea. I'm currently doing Centrum chewables and I hate them. I ordered the capsules, I like doing the "pill" form better too.

Surf23v1 · 08-17-2008, 09:11 PM

Everyone has a different routine, but here is what I do to get everything in and it works well for me.

2 chewable multivitamins daily: take them 8 hours apart so that your body will be able to absorb all the nutrients. Despite what your friend said, chewables are BEST at this point. After 30 days, you can swallow pills and find something like Centrum.

50-70 grams protein: Some max at 70g, some max at 80g... just make sure your minimum is 50! At first protein shakes are the only form of protein you will get- later on tuna (21g in 3oz!!!) and cottage cheese will help supplement of that protein. One important thing to remember is that you have to be able to get enough liquids down- water comes before protein!!! If you only drink protein shakes and not enough water it can cause kidney damage. At first you may not be able to get in all 50g and that's okay- I still have a difficult time.

Calcium Citrate: I take 1,500mg of Calcium Citrate daily- you can find these in chewables. I take this separately from my multivitamin because my multi has iron in it and iron can't absorb if you are taking a large amount of calcium at the same time. Iron is a huge plus for younger women that are still menstrating! So, I take my first chewable 3 hours after breakfast, another one after lunch, and one a couple hours after dinner. When you spread these apart, you get better absorption.

So, here's my actual vitamin schedule:

-8:00am Multivitamin w/ breakfast
-11:00am Chewable Calcium Citrate
- 3:00pm Chewable Calcium Citrate
- 6:00pm Multivitamin w/ dinner
- 9:00pm Chewable Calcium Citrate

PROTEIN- ANYTIME OF THE DAY!!! =)