Need Advice

Hello friends, I need some help here. I went to Dr. Baker last Friday for my first post op checkup. Everything was good. Lost 34 pounds. Woohoo!! Anyway, what I need help with is the calcium citrate thing. I bought the Citracal with vitamin D like they told me to. But, dang, ya'll. I can't get them down. Those pills are huge. I have cut them in half, still too big, so now I've cut them into fourths. Suppose to take two pills twice a day. I just can't get them down. Last night when I took them, I threw them up. Is there any other kind out there that is easier to take, like liquid or chewables. Cause I just can't do these.    Also, multivitamins....I've been taking like the generic of chewable Flinstones, but those are nasty also. I don't know how kids eat those things. They gave my a presciption for some multivitamins at the doctor's office. But I'd rather not use it if I can find some over the counter.  Before surgery I was taking like the generic of Centrum Silver, cause I am 55 ya know...lol. Any suggestions out there? Thanks guys... ((hugs))

Ann, Congrats on your weight loss!!!  I take the Citrical Petites, they are smaller than the others.  I could not take the others at all, still have mental issues w/them b/c they bothered me so bad when I was newly post op.  I talked to Becky at Dr Bakers office when I started the petites, and was still having issues.  She told me to take them with coffee that was still warm, you know, good drinkable temp.  If you dont like coffee, try S/F hot chocolate.  She said the warm lets them go on down.   As for multivitamins, I could not take the prescription ones, b/c the smell made me sick.  So I tried the Flintstones, and I agree w/you, they are NASTY!!!  Sooooooo, I compared ingredients and vitamin levels between them and a brand called One Source Active Kids.  They are like $6 at wal mart for 120 vitamins.  I really like them, but be warned, they have a very sour pucker your mouth taste, but no heavy vitamin taste, and Dr. B said they were fine. Good luck on your search, thats just my 2 cents worth. Again, congrats on your weight loss, your doing great, Rhonda D.

I take the chewable calcium, Caltrate 600 +D, they taste decent, I tried the Target off brand and they were nasty tasting so I recommend the name brand.  I take the chewable Centrium, but it does have a bad taste, I saw some liquid the other day I might try it next time. 

WOW  34 lbs!  That's terrific! I take the Wal-mart generic Centrum Silver....one in the morning, one before bed.  I agree with Rhonda about the Citrical petites, but check the dosing, I think you need to take 4 a day.  You need between 1200-1500 mg of calcium CITRATE a day. Keep up the great work Hugs

Has anyone tried the Vision For Life - liquid Power of 3 vitamins?  I wondered how they'd compare.  I have also been told that you should not take your calcium for at least two hours after your multivitamin.  Something about they counteract with each other, making both do you little to no good.   Anyone else heard that?   CB

hi ann, get the soft chews. they are wonderful. i get them at walmart. they taste like choclate chewies . great tasting

Hi Ann, FYI,  the calcium chews you're talking about are fine for lap banders but not for anyone with a gastric bypass.  It is calcium carbonate and requires stomach acid to break down and absorb. Since that part of our gut is bypassed, we need calcium carbonate. Those little boogers are good, but they're only a treat for us rny'rs.

Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on you guys. Rhonda D, I will take them with some coffee. Great idea. I did go to Walgreens today and found the Citracal Petites. So I got them. I'm sure I can get them down. Ok Susan, question for you. These Petites have 400 IU of Vitamin D and 400 IU of Calcium... It says take two tablets twice a day. Will that be enough?

Hi Ann, I take the Calcium Citrate Petites also.  If you take 2 tablets twice a day that's 800, not enough for your daily recommended dose.  So if you're relying solely on the tablets for your calcium then that won't be enough.  I take 3-4 tablets a day, one at a time.  I read somewhere that you shouldn't take more than 500 mg of calcium at one time....anyone else know about this, or did I just dream it up?  I'm thinking JoBeth (nut) told me that too.  So I take one tablet at a time, 3-4 times daily.  I also drink nearly 3 full glasses of milk daily for the rest of my calcium.  Remember to not take your calcium with your multivitamin....I know, a lot of juggling to be done but eventually it will become routine and you won't even have to think about it. I hope this helps and I didn't confuse you more!  Take care...