FYI - Bariatric Advantage Caclium Changes

Jennifer K.
on 6/16/08 9:20 am - Phoenix , AZ

BA is changing their reccomended doseage from 2 a day to 3 a day... research has shown that the original dosage just isnt enough for post-WLS patients.... the more time that passes the more they are learning about the importance of these suppliments!!! Because of this dosage change they are doing away with the 60 tablet bottles... keeping the 180 (2 month supply) and have introduced a 270 tablet bottle (3 month supply). Each tablet is 400mg of cali****o the dosage is changing from 800 a day to 1200 a day... personally I was already taking 3 a day so if are currently taking a lower amount I suggest upping and/or talking to your surgeon. I purchased the 270 tablet bottle for approx $42... that comes out to only $14 a month - not a bad deal!

First visit to surgeon - 288 ~ bmi 45.1
2 week pre-op 252 ~ bmi 39.5
Total lost - 153 Since surgery - 117!
Goal weight - 155 (mine) 180 (surgeons)
Current weight - 135 (2020 I lost 10lbs due to dedicating myself to working out more and being in better shape)

1/14/2025 still maintaining 135 :-)

Extended TT, lipo, fat injections - 11/2011

BA/BL/Arm Lift - 7/2014

Scar revision on arms - 3/2015

HALO laser on arms/neck 9/2016

Thigh Lift 10/2020

Thigh Lift revision 10/2021

Andrea U.
on 6/16/08 9:48 am - Wilson, NC

I wonder how much *elemental* calcium is actually in each tablet. I know that a 500mg citrical tablet only has 130mg of elemental calcium in it.

WLS Vitagarten - The ABC's and 123's of Post-Op Nutrition

Jennifer K.
on 6/16/08 10:01 pm - Phoenix , AZ

RNY on 06/20/06

100% Calcium Citrate. Each Calcium Citrate Lozenge contains 400 milligrams of elemental calcium from calcium citrate. Calcium absorption is impaired after weight loss surgery. This is due to loss of stomach acid, bypassing of the duodenum, and decreased absorption of Vitamin D. Calcium citrate is highly soluble and is appropriate for individuals who lack adequate stomach acid.

First visit to surgeon - 288 ~ bmi 45.1
2 week pre-op 252 ~ bmi 39.5
Total lost - 153 Since surgery - 117!
Goal weight - 155 (mine) 180 (surgeons)
Current weight - 135 (2020 I lost 10lbs due to dedicating myself to working out more and being in better shape)

1/14/2025 still maintaining 135 :-)

Extended TT, lipo, fat injections - 11/2011

BA/BL/Arm Lift - 7/2014

Scar revision on arms - 3/2015

HALO laser on arms/neck 9/2016

Thigh Lift 10/2020

Thigh Lift revision 10/2021

Andrea U.
on 6/17/08 1:42 am - Wilson, NC

This is what I'm referring to: (BTW -- Diana Cox is a chemist and knows her stuff.. she and vitalady are who I go to for my vitamin questions.) From this post: Post Date: 6/4/08 9:00 pm
Calcium citrate is a form of calcium -- a calcium salt of citric acid. It is 24% by weight elemental calcium (the rest of the molecule is the citric acid). In order to get 1000 mg of elemental calcium from calcium citrate, you have to take about 4 g of calcium citrate.

Calcium carbonate on the other hand is about 40% calcium, so you only have to take 2.5 g of calcium carbonate to get 1000 mg of elemental calcium. So the volume of material you have to swallow (2.5 g vs. 4 g) is smaller with the carbonate form.

HOWEVER, calcium carbonate is very poorly soluble, so you'd have to take a LOT more of it to get an adequate amount absorbed. This is particularly true for DSers and RNYers who have smaller stomachs and decreased stomach acid. So we are STRONGLY urged to take the much more soluble calcium citrate form.

Both the Costco and Citrical and UpCalD are made up of calcium citrate -- but the 2 g "serving size" that is on the UpCalD label is misleading, as Vitalady said -- it is mixed with fillers that reduce the amount of actual calcium in the product -- in fact, according to Michelle (Vitalady), when they tested what was supposed to be 500 mg of elemental calcium in the UpCalD product, it was WAAAAY under 200 g. In order for there to be 500 mg of elemental calcium in a 2 g scoop of UpCalD, it would have to be ENTIRELY a completely dry calcium citrate powder, which is not possible -- calcium citrate absorbs water, changing the amount of calcium by weight, and in addition, the powder contains dextrose and other fillers.

Yes, I take one each of Citrical and the Costco calcium citrate tablets, for a total of 565 mg of elemental calcium at a time. (and yes, I know these are different brands.. but the fact that calcium is so mislabeled so often, that's why I made the comment that I did..)

WLS Vitagarten - The ABC's and 123's of Post-Op Nutrition

new-beginning
on 6/16/08 11:05 am

RNY on 02/19/08

Hey Jen: Is this a chewable? Seems like I have probs with any big pills. Right now i do Rolaids for calcium which the nut says is fine. Thanks, Pam

Andrea U.
on 6/16/08 11:13 am - Wilson, NC

I'm fairly certain that Rolaids is calcium carbonate. You *really* should be on calcium citrate. I'd call your nut. and ask about this. RNY patients don't absorb calcium carbonate.

WLS Vitagarten - The ABC's and 123's of Post-Op Nutrition

Jennifer K.
on 6/16/08 9:57 pm - Phoenix , AZ

RNY on 06/20/06

They are chewable... I was told either form of calcium was ok, but upon doing my own research decided to stick with the Calcium Citrate which is what BA sells - the rolaids are calcium carbonate.... way I figure better to be safe than sorry! The BA chewables come in Cherry, Cinnamon, Chocolate and Mint... you can buy them on their website or at Southeast Bariatrics which is right down the road from DrMelkonian/Lowe office.

First visit to surgeon - 288 ~ bmi 45.1
2 week pre-op 252 ~ bmi 39.5
Total lost - 153 Since surgery - 117!
Goal weight - 155 (mine) 180 (surgeons)
Current weight - 135 (2020 I lost 10lbs due to dedicating myself to working out more and being in better shape)

1/14/2025 still maintaining 135 :-)

Extended TT, lipo, fat injections - 11/2011

BA/BL/Arm Lift - 7/2014

Scar revision on arms - 3/2015

HALO laser on arms/neck 9/2016

Thigh Lift 10/2020

Thigh Lift revision 10/2021

LauraCLT
on 6/16/08 10:47 pm - Newbury Park, CA

RNY on 04/23/08

Thanks for the info! I love BA's calcium (the wild cherry is like a candy treat if you suck on it :). I also get the B12 tablets, and was curious if you know how much B12 we should be taking. Dr. Lowe said 1000 mcg a day -- but I just saw a post in which someone said 1000 mcg PER WEEK. Wondering if I misunderstood. Thanks! Laura

Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past ~ Berrault

Jennifer K.
on 6/17/08 12:11 am - Phoenix , AZ

RNY on 06/20/06

Some surgeons do not have their patients take B12 vits daily - only every other day or once a week... thats where Im sure you heard the 1000mcg a week. DrLowe and Melkonian both say to take it daily - B12 is a water soluable suppliment so you cannot OD on it... what you dont use you basically tinkle out :-) I personally take a high potency B12 daily - I think its 2500mcg? That seems to be what works best for *me* along with a B6 suppliment.

First visit to surgeon - 288 ~ bmi 45.1
2 week pre-op 252 ~ bmi 39.5
Total lost - 153 Since surgery - 117!
Goal weight - 155 (mine) 180 (surgeons)
Current weight - 135 (2020 I lost 10lbs due to dedicating myself to working out more and being in better shape)

1/14/2025 still maintaining 135 :-)

Extended TT, lipo, fat injections - 11/2011

BA/BL/Arm Lift - 7/2014

Scar revision on arms - 3/2015

HALO laser on arms/neck 9/2016

Thigh Lift 10/2020

Thigh Lift revision 10/2021

Andrea U.
on 6/17/08 1:44 am - Wilson, NC

I just learned that you *can* get b-12 toxicity.. but very rare. My nut. mentioned it when she saw my b-12 was over 920. I didn't know there was such a thing, either.

WLS Vitagarten - The ABC's and 123's of Post-Op Nutrition

FYI - Bariatric Advantage Caclium Changes

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FYI - Bariatric Advantage Caclium Changes