Questions about Supplements

I'm currently trying to figure out which supplements I'm supposed to take post-op, and I'm becoming a little confused. Specifically with regard to calcium. Is calcium carbonate or calcium citrate the right supplement? Also, has anyone tried Isotonic supplements?

Hi Joni, I have never tried Isotonics, don't know anything about them. Welcome to the great raging calcium debate. I never have seen definite answers or official studies about this, just annecdotal information of "My Dr. Says" kind of thing. I attended one of the ( many lol ) first three months meetings and heard Dr. Wynn address this, when asked she said that yes, a certain amount of acid is needed to help absorb the calcium in carbonate form BUT that digestion and absorption also takes place further down the GI tract. I have used both carbonate and citrate. I only found one citrate that was doable and that was the lozenge type from Bariatricadvantage.com, not overly expensive and tastes good. Most of the time I use Viactive. There are so many schools of thought on this surgery and I've yet to see the same protocol for any 2 doctors. It's my opinion ( right or wrong ) that the most important thing is that I get my supplement and take it faithfully, not whether one is aborbed a milimicronanogram more than another. Yes, I made that word up Right now I take: 3 Active Kids Complete ( Walmart brand comparable to Flinstones Complete but taste better) 1 Sublingual B-12 every other day ( am cutting back from everyday because levels have been off the charts since surgery) 2 Viactive...been using the chocolate mint flavor. mm mmmm good stuff. I feel good and my blood work has been perfect for a year. So far so good and if it ain't broke, I ain't fixin' it! I will stay with this regimen until the docs change it for whatever reason. Hope this helps a bit. Linda

Thanks Linda, glad to know I'm not the only one struggling to understand the mixed information about calcium supplements!

Hi Joni, You can use either the calcium carbonate or the citrate, they are both fine. I use the ActiveCal (carbonate) from GNC. They come in chocolate or caramel flavors and you take one chew twice a day. I love the caramel ones, it's like having a candy treat twice a day! They come in containers of 75 for $7.99, but often you can get a second container for 1/2 price. Hope this helps, Donna