Questions about calcium

Hello everyone. With the calcium the doctor tells us to do Tums. Tums has calcium carbonate. Some people say that we do not want that, it does not digest with rny patients. Are we to take calcium citrate? One lady posted me an email and said you better do your homework. Can anyone help on this subject? Christie

Christie. Lots of hype about Calcium. I took tums for the first month. Switched to Calcium citrate pills then switched to chewable Viativ. My calcium levels have always been good. So do whatever is best for you. Take the boards with a grain of salt and know that you are doing fine. Your pic is looking pretty good. How do you feel? Elissa

Hi Elissa where did you get the calcium citrate chewables? I can not do the viactiv because it contains vitamin k and I am on coumadin. I was taking them, but they threw my coumadin levels off. I am feeling good. Down 64 pounds so far and I am 3 1/2 months out. Christie

Hi Christie, I used Tums very early out too. After a few months I switched to Viactive and Bariatric Advantage, I jump back and forth so I don't get bored with the flavors. I don't worry about the citrate vs. carbonate argument. I asked this question of the docs as well as my pharmacist and was told that the absorption rate might be slightly higher but not alot, and that even with minimal stomach acids needed to absorb the carbonate, they are still absorbed farther down the GI tract. I use what I feel most like eating that month. Right now I'm finishing up a bottle of the citrate...you can get it from (www)bariatricadvantage.com, they aren't expensive and the shipping is fast. I do like the cinnamon alot better than the chocolate so next time I will be getting that flavor again. Linda

Christie, You can get chewable calcium citrate at the Vitamin Shoppe (http://) tinyurl.com/dw5sq I really like the Bariatric Advantage Chewable Calcium Citrate, BUT it contains vitamin K. Linda, I think the Cinnamon is SO HOT! I prefer the chocolate. But hey, I will take chocolate in ANY form I can get it these days! Unlike the others here (whom I simply adore BTW), I take a different road when it come to my calcium. I have family history of bone loss and my moms bone doc had a hissy when he found out that I had bypass surgery. He talked to me himself and warned me that I had to be extremely vigilant with my calcium intake. He also said it would be extremely wise for me to have a bone density test yearly to keep a check on everything. He said that I can not fully rely upon the blood work because it can be a bit misleading. The calcium can be leached from the bones and thus my blood calcium levels can show good numbers on the blood work. And by the time my bloodwork comes back showing a problem I may be into advanced bone loss. However, keep in mind that I am small framed, which adds to the strikes against me. He recommend chewable or powdered citrate. I use both Bariatric Advantage chewable and Up-cal D powdered. Both are USP quality but again, the BA's do have vitamin K in them. As far as I remember the Up-cal does not. Here is the cheapest place I have found and order my Up-cal from (www.) valleynutrition.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=UCP%2DGoPak If you are interested, here is a link to the abstracts from the last ABS (American Society of Bariatric Surgeons) 2004 meeting. (http://www.) asbs.org/html/pdf/asbs_abstract_booklet.pdf See page 20 (shows page 22 on my particular reader) of the document for their recommendation for RYGB patients to use Citrate rather than carbonate. Specifically read ... "32. A COMPARISON OF THE ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM CITRATE AND CALCIUM CARBONATE FOLLOWING ROUX-EN-Y GASTRIC BYPASS" They claim there is a significant difference in bioavailablity for us. So take it for what it is worth, as truly I am not trying to push my agenda, nor trying to upset anyone. Simply trying to share what I have found that I feel may be vital information for us. This is such a new field and I believe we are all learning about it each and every day. I hope and pray that I am wrong and that we are not missing the mark with the carbonate. So many of my friends are doing carbonate. And obviously, I don't want to see them with any long term problems either. So Christy, take this information as you see fit. Like I said, I am not trying to push my beliefs on anyone, only trying to help. At any rate, this is what I am following, and why I am following this particular regime. I have the blessings of all my docs ... they say that they do not have a problem with it and that it would not cost me anything other than the little extra that I spend for the citrate rather than the carbonate. And since I have always been a bit conservative - I tend to err on the side of caution. No exceptions when it comes to my calcium choice. BTW - the rest of the ASBS document is a great read and full of useful information as well, if you care to peek at it! Best wishes! Hugs, Tammy