mistymee

I think the viactiv are kind of low mg per chew so you have to take a lot of them.. but I'm not 100% sure.

Remember that the blood tests only tell you the amount of calcium in your blood. And since the bigger concern is the amount in our bones (which get leached to our blood if blood calcium is low) a normal reading can mask low bone calcium. So you need a bone scan as well.

Also, calcium recommendations have been increased recently for those having undergone WLS. (see Corrine & MiLadyB's posts for details.)

I gave up trying to get my calcium via non-chewable calcium tablets as they're just too big to swallow comfortably.

I take calcium from Bariatric Vitamins | Celebrate Bariatric Supplements | Bariatric Surgery & Nutrition.. I prefer the cocoa ones, some people prefer the berry versions. The customer service is fantastic.

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sherry7

Unfortunately, the type of calcium in Viactiv (calcium carbonate) is not properly absorbed by us. The type we need is calcium citrate. Mostly this comes in pill form, which if needed, you can crush up and add to a drink. However, BariatricAdvantage.com now sells a calcium citrate chewable, called Chewy Bites. They're a bit expensive, but that's better than taking the wrong thing, right?

I also meant to add....don't rely 100% of your blood work results when it comes to calcium levels. When you're low on calcium, your body will "steal" it from your bones and teeth...resulting in osteoporosis and dental problems (both problems that can't be reversed). Only after that damage has occurred, will it show up significantly on your blood work.

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Sherry

Counting down to May 25, 2010...baby boy or baby girl? Such an awesome 2nd surgiversary present!

What did YOU eat today? Join your fellow TT'ers by posting at: http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/gb-...day-today.html

Lap RNY -05/29/08

274 orientation/253 day of surgery/151 current/149 goal
Total pounds gone forever - 122

zoe22jeter

I'm not trying to be a cinic but i have only taken one daily womens OTC vitamin since day one of surgery and my bld work(3 times done now) shows no definciencies. dexa scan good. i know it can catch up to me but my dietitcian and surgeon says it usually shows i first 6 mos if your body needs more vits b/c of lack of absorption so taking extra vits isn't for everyone ansd may hurt some people....need to show the other side.

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."- 2 Timothy 1:7

High 275, pants 24/26, shirt 3x-4x(22/24), bra 44-46DDD
Surgery(2/17/09) 255
Onederland 6/2/09 - 197lbs (1st time since 2004!)
Current 173 (8/4 will be 6 mo out!) DOWN 102lbs from high , pant size 14/16, shirt xl(14/16)bra 36c/d
Goal 140, size 8/10

LadyV

Hi Zoe, our stats are sooo similar and our goal weight are pretty much the same. Glad to know you are doing well.

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LADY V

5'3"
Start of WLS/day of surgery/current//personal goal
254/244/152/140




Approved January 2, 2009 waiting for date(nervous)
Onderland officially May 1, 2009



RNY - - - - - - - - - February 11, 2009
home from hospital - February 13, 2009
Officially down 94lbs September 3, 2009 WooHooo!!
Down 102 lbs October 3, 2009 and Feeling Great!!


No longer morbidly obese just overweight!!!!






IT IS WHAT IT IS and I'M LOVING IT!!

mistymee

Long term studies are starting to show this isn't the case, though... check out some of Phoenix's or Rain's recent posts on the subject.

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MiladyB

Actually studies are showing that our bodies retain certain vitamins for varying lengths of time. Some of those deficiencies may not show up to several years postop when we start to deplete the supplies our body has. I'm over 3 years post op. ALL lab work was just fine until 3 years postop. I'm religious about taking my vitamins in the suggested amounts and forms. Even with that I've had to increase not only my Vitamin D but also my iron over the past 6 months to keep my levels normal.

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~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

mistymee

Glad you are weighing in on this subject, Beth.. I'm afraid I don't have enough in my background to help speak to this with any authority. I do worry when this subject comes up that people are setting themselves up for big trouble down the line and am glad you and the other long termers stick around for the rest of us here! One thing I keep in the back of my mind is that my doctor is NOT the one that will suffer the consequences should something go wrong and so I feel obligated to make sure I do my own research as much as I can.

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Renae

Wow... thanks for posting this. Great info. I do have muscle spasm alot...will check into to this.

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GoolyMoogly

Simply put: Malnutrition and possibly death.

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*NOTHING TO LOSE, EVERYTHING TO GAIN*

Pre-Op Highest weight 262
Lost weight in preparation for surgery 247lbs but gained some.
Weight at surgery 252 lbs
Surgery date 09/10/2009
Current weight: 205 lbs (57lbs since highest and 47lbs since surgery)
Goal Weight 110!!!! Oh my I cannot wait!!