Viactive?????????

Well, my surgeon (who's been doing this for over 25 years, done nearly 3000 surgeries, and is coming out with a book on the subject of WLS near the end of the year or beginning of next year) recommended Calcium Citrate - but he also said that we could take Carbonate as well. The citrate that I have is HUGE wafers and I would have to chew up 4 of them/day to get my RDA of it. When I was newly pre-op I just couldn't do it. It would take me 30+ minutes to eat one of them. So, I mentioned this to him and he suggested chewing up a couple of TUMS (or the generic equivilent) a day and he'd check my labs in a few months to make sure everything is okay. I know that some people swear by citrate and swear we should take nothing else - but I know quite a few post-ops (years out post-ops) that take carbonate because their surgeon recommended it and have never had a low calcium level. I, honestly (after talking to my surgeon, nut, many post-ops) believe that both are fine. Yes, the citrate is probably better, but the carbonate is fine, too. Just my .02~ Michelle

I use Liquid Calcium Magnesium by Tropical Oasisyou can find it at: bariatriceating.com on the left click " Shop vitamins, calcium & Iron " I also take there liquid multivitamin joni.RNY.06/27/2005

Dear Carmella, I've taken 2 Flinstones chewables and 2-3 Viactive / day from the time I came home from the hospital. My Dr & Nut said that these were ok, but cautioned that the multi and calcium should be taken at least 3 hours apart. One will cause the other not to absorb. Kathy of "Kathy & Rich" is right about it not being the preferred type of calcium. But it's the lesser of evils. You either yack up the gross stuff or end up not taking it at all... or you get some bennies from the good tasting chewable. I agree with you that it tastes like a little hunk of chocolate but be sure to get the "sugar free" version. It also satisfied that "chewing need" when I was on the liquid phase. Rember the old adage: "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down".... Now you've all got that tune stuck in your head... This is a long-term journey. Make it easy on yourselves when/where-ever possible. Kate Z 313/248/125 1/3 of my way to GOAL!!!!