Question about Vitamins - ThinnerTimes

Eraser · 04-28-2008, 06:22 PM

I should be getting my exact surgery date quite soon but I have a question about vitamins for y'all:

During my info session with the bariatric nurse, we were given the following info.
After the surgery, for the rest of our lives, we need to take

1) Centrum Select Chewable
--> Is there a better, more complete, chewable vitamin that anyone on TT has looked into?

2) Vitamin B12 tablets , 250 micrograms, twice a day
--> I hear that a sublingual variety exists, is that true? Is it better? If I found a 500 microgram sublingual tablet, could i take one a day instead of 2 ordinary tabs per day?

3) Calcium + Vitamin D (Caltrate D) 500mg twice a day
--> Again here, is it possible to take 1000mg once a day? Is there a chewable version?

I am trying to optimize my compliance on my vitamins, as you know, it is much easier to take your pills if you can do it all at one shot, once per day.

Thanks!!

Corrine · 04-28-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eraser

I should be getting my exact surgery date quite soon but I have a question about vitamins for y'all:

During my info session with the bariatric nurse, we were given the following info.
After the surgery, for the rest of our lives, we need to take

1) Centrum Select Chewable
--> Is there a better, more complete, chewable vitamin that anyone on TT has looked into?

2) Vitamin B12 tablets , 250 micrograms, twice a day
--> I hear that a sublingual variety exists, is that true? Is it better? If I found a 500 microgram sublingual tablet, could i take one a day instead of 2 ordinary tabs per day?

3) Calcium + Vitamin D (Caltrate D) 500mg twice a day
--> Again here, is it possible to take 1000mg once a day? Is there a chewable version?

I am trying to optimize my compliance on my vitamins, as you know, it is much easier to take your pills if you can do it all at one shot, once per day.

Thanks!!

I find it interesting how some of these bariatric unit's supplement protocol differs so much. Our list was for double those amounts.

1. You can search Google for "Bariatric vitamins". Personally, I found Centrum chewable to be excellent early out and they're excellent value.

2. B-12. Again, Google for "sublingual B-12" - eBay is a good source too.

3. Caltrate D!!!!!!! RNY people need calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. Carbonate requires gastric acid for absorption and you won't have that in your pouch.

Use the search function above right - there's plenty of good info about it on this forum. I take 4-5 doses of UpCalD (500mg + D2) a day. You're body can't copy with much more than one dose at a time.

Yep! It is easier to optimize your pill intake by doing it in one shot but that isn't the best for what will be your new innerds.

You need to spread that stuff out to maximize the benefits.

MiladyB · 04-28-2008, 09:05 PM

1. I've heard the Centrum is a good one to take. Personally I buy the multi vits from bbvitamins.com They are vitamins specifically for bariatric patients.

2. The B12...sublingual is best and you shouldn't have to split up that dose.

3. In regards to the calcium, Corrine is correct. You need Calcium Citrate if you had the RNY. Caltrate D is Calcium Carbonate. You need your gastic juices to absorb that and after RNY you don't have those gastric juices. You will have to split that dose because your body can't absorb any more than 600mg at a time.

The Building Blocks site offers all the needed vitamins if you are interested, including a chewable calcium. I only use their mutivit but there are others available.

genameana · 04-29-2008, 04:43 AM

that disolve under the tongue.

Godsblessedme · 04-29-2008, 03:44 PM

do those chewable calciums taste gross?

mistymee · 04-29-2008, 05:02 PM

I bought the chocolate calcium 'lozenges' Bariatric advantage brand, from Vitalady..

They taste yummy.. I wouldn't really call them a lozenge though.. when I think of lozenge, I think of more like a hard candy type of thing...this is a more like my chewable vitamins in texture. Tastes like herseys cocoa.

Zenomia · 04-29-2008, 05:36 PM

I should be getting my exact surgery date quite soon but I have a question about vitamins for y'all:

During my info session with the bariatric nurse, we were given the following info.
After the surgery, for the rest of our lives, we need to take

1) Centrum Select Chewable
--> Is there a better, more complete, chewable vitamin that anyone on TT has looked into?

I take Centrum Preformance 2x a day...pill form not chewable any more. Once your past the early out stage, pills are not a problem!

2) Vitamin B12 tablets , 250 micrograms, twice a day
--> I hear that a sublingual variety exists, is that true? Is it better? If I found a 500 microgram sublingual tablet, could i take one a day instead of 2 ordinary tabs per day?

I take 1 sublingual 5000mcgs of B12 a day. This WAY more than your getting, but the good thing about B12 is that you can't OVER DO it. It is one of those vitamins that has difficulty absorbing, so taking more can't hurt only help. Sublingual or tablet, the preference is yours. Some swear by the injections, I however have a needle phobia..so that wasn't an option for me.

3) Calcium + Vitamin D (Caltrate D) 500mg twice a day
--> Again here, is it possible to take 1000mg once a day? Is there a chewable version?

There used to be a good chewable version in Calcium Citrate Chocolate and Lemon chews...LOVED EM, but I think they are off the market now. Sadly, no other chewable version that I am aware of, and I am taking 1200mgs. once a day...but only because I take other things that can't mix with calcium. I take the petite form, so I take quite a few at one time...

I am trying to optimize my compliance on my vitamins, as you know, it is much easier to take your pills if you can do it all at one shot, once per day.

That would be great if you didn't have to worry about mixing forms. Calcium and IRON cannot be mixed or they will negate the other. Likewise, if you are taking any perscriptions, you have to be sure they won't counter the effects of the vitamins and minerals you are taking in conjunction with it. I take thyroid medication and I cannot mix it with the calcium or Iron....But the B12, multi v's, Vita E caps, my happy pills and Yaz, are all morning pills. It's a pain at first trying to keep it all strait, however after some time, you get into the swing of it, and it becomes second nature. It's either that or risk your health...the option is yours really...

Thanks!!

mistymee · 04-29-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenomia

There used to be a good chewable version in Calcium Citrate Chocolate and Lemon chews...LOVED EM, but I think they are off the market now. Sadly, no other chewable version that I am aware of, and I am taking 1200mgs. once a day...but only because I take other things that can't mix with calcium. I take the petite form, so I take quite a few at one time...

Vitalady.com sells a chocolate chewable calcium citrate... Bariatric Advantage brand. Quite good.. tastes like hersey's cocoa.

paige52 · 04-29-2008, 09:05 PM

You also have to take your calcium and vits at least an hour apart...

You should be getting 1500 of calcium. I take the same stuff as Zen but she's right I can't find it in stores and I only have two boxes left...

Theres a product called liquid oasis... its' supposed to be very good.

Traders has a sublingual that has B12, B6 and folic acid... great stuff and cheap

I prefer chewable or liquid when i can get it. We can take pills in tablet form but you will absorb it better in other forms.

BillH · 04-30-2008, 04:35 AM

Each morning, I take a chewable Centrum vitamin and a chewable B Complex (from Solaray) Later in the day, I also take Calcium Citrate also from Solaray (four big wafers, I take two after "supper" and two before bedtime). Now I am taking liquid Iron from Ferretts, about 15ml twice a day...supposedly flavored, this iron is nasty-tasting to me, but it's supposed to keep you from getting constipated as you can on other iron supplements. So far so good...I am also taking a prevacid that disolves in my mouth first thing in the a.m. and I take liquid carafate four times per day. I have Loritab Elixir for pain...but now that it's been two weeks since surgery, I am only having that once a day, if at all....

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