Vitamins

These Vitamins are mentioned in Susan Maria Leach's book BEFORE & AFTER: LIVING & EATING WELL AFTER WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY, so I wanted to share the link with you folks. http://www.vistavitamins.com/ Supposedly, thay are made for patients of Gastric Bypass Surgery, and are formulated for better absobtion for us. Have any of you tried them? Take care, Renay

Hi Renay, I'm sure they are probably ok vitamins but personally I can't see spending minimum of $85.00 a month for a chewable vitamin. If you read the bottle it instructs you to chew 4-5 of those wafers a day. I can get the same benefit with a childrens chewable such as Flintsones or store brand ( I have been using Happy Harry's brand ) for MUCH less money. I chew 3 a day and I'm done. Another thing that nobody can seem to explain is...we are instructed to take our iron and calcium separately so as not to cancel each other out...if that's the case then how is it these "specialty" bariatric vitamins combine the formulas into one chewable and it's ok. LOL I asked that question at last months PMRI vitamin meetng and they couldn't answer me. As for my B-12 I get the sublingual tablets, 100 in a container at Trader Joe's for about 6 bucks. I take one a day and so far my B-12 levels have been extremely good according to my blood work. Actually both times I have had extensive blood work done as a post-op my tests have come back perfect. I suppose it's like anything else, if a company is in business to sell you a product it's in their best interest to sell it as a "One of a kind " "The best for our special needs" etc no matter what the product is. I find that specialty or designer or whatever isn't always best. As for my own case, I feel if it ain't broke, don't fix it lol. So far so good for me. That doesn't mean I'm not open to change down the road if something needs adjusting, that's the nature of the game that it will change. It's also a matter of what the individual is comfortable with, personal tastes etc. lol the fact is tho, you could slap Carnie's picture on a bag of dog crap and find a way to make bariatric patients think they need it to survive. Linda

Actually, Linda, I have read in many locations that while patients eat the Flintstones vitamins, the nutrients are not absorbed into the body properly. This is why there are a few brands out that are geared for wls patients and our deminished gastric acid pouches. Another is at this site: http://www.wlscenter.com/Vitamins.htm. Maybe folks are just trying make a lot of money, but I think its worth looking into. ~ Renay

By all means look into it, that's what it's all about educating yourself and finding what works for you. You asked for an opinion and I simply supplied mine

I'm a chewable Walmart brand fan myself. I believe Tammy may use those vitamins that are cheleated (sp?). She may respond, but they are way too expensive for me as well. The Walmart brand I use even has more biotin and zinc than flintstones! My bloodwork comes back fine. Remember, this is for life.. and I'd rather spend the saved $ on a new leather coat.. oh wait.. I am! LOL Take care, T

Hey Renay, There are about 40 different kinds of "specifcally for GSB" patients. At one of the last PMRI meetings the nutritionist was talking about OptiSource (4 wafers a day) as the best option. When I talked with Brett he said he didn't like them, not enough b-12 or calcium. How is a person to win, when these groups can't even coordinate their answers? Now I am using up the Optisource (available from CVS on-line, about $25 a month supply) and taking an extra B-12 (Trader Joe's) and a Centrum Calcium. Going to stay with this for awhile since all systems are solid. I'm also taking Atkins AM-PM cleansers every morning and night. Pipes have never been cleaner. My two cents. Rob

Rob, Thanks for this info. ~ Renay

Rob, For some reason I can't find the OptiSource vitamins on the CVS web site; however, I did see them on the Walgreens site for $24.99. http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jhtml?id=prod403359&CATID=301120&skuid=sku403360&navAction=jump&navCount=1 ~ Renay

Hi Renay, Yes, I was given the Walgreen's site for Optisource, however, they do not have them in the Walgreen's stores closest to us. Have a great night! Valerie

This is a very controversal subject. My thoughts on how optisource says we can take our calicium and iron altogether is because some bodies will asorb the iron, calcium and other vitamins all at once. While other bodies can't asborb all the vitamins, iron and calcium at the same time and that is when they cross each other out. It depends on the person and how their bodies react, wether you have had gastric or not. This is why it is so important to get those blood levels checked every 6-12 months. I am a firm believer what works for one person, doesn't always work for the next. I personnal take a pre-natal vitamin, calcium, B-12 and Biotin on a daily bases. I will sometimes alternate with the multi-vitamin and the pre-natal vitamin. I also sometimes use the Isotonix vitamins, especially in my smoothies. It just depends on you and your body. BUT no vitamin will do you any good if you don't take them. Now some doctors/dieticians recommend folic acid too, since I take the pre-natal I don't have to worry about that. Now I don't crush the pre-natal either. SO it just depends on your body! Listen to it and read the lab results with the doctors as your blood levels won't lie. Take the VITAMINS! Nicki