Calcium & Tums question

My Nutritionist said I needed to take a calcium suppliment.  I asked her what she suggests and she said Tums would be fine.  When I mentioned that to someone they said that Tums was a carbonate and we need a citrate?   Does anyone know if that is the case.  I'm not sure if that is the case for RNY'ers or if its straight across the board for WLS.  Was anyone else told Tums was ok?

The group that I go to insists that it has to be a citrate.  Something about absorption, I think.  I go tomorrow to my nut. and I'll ask her why again.  

Ok Thank you.. I'm curious to know what yours says.  Would you ask her if its the same for those that have had the Lap Band?  

I asked my surgeon the other day at work which type of cali****hould I buy since I'm starting to stock up now and he said it doesn't matter. He said when he does my 1st set of labs post-op, if the calicum carbonate I plan on taking wasn't effective, he would change it to calcium citrate. I also went through my packet that the nutritionist gave me and she recommends Caltrate +D chewables which are calcium carbonate. This whole vitamin and mineral routine is starting to totally confuse me. Life was easier when I was a bandster

I was told Tums or Viactive were o.k. the first month, then to switch to Caltrate D.   I had trouble taking those (i don't know why, I take solid vitamins just fine,) so now I'm taking a liquid  called Tropical Oasis & has calcium citrate, magnasium citrate & Vit. D.  It's not the best tasting stuff in the world, but I  can deal with it.

I was told to start on Tums and then I can do Viactiv. When I asked my Nut about the carbonate/citrate thing, she said I can take either one.

I was told citrate ONLY because the post-op stomach doesn't produce enough acid to dissolve the carbonate. I suppose, as long as your levels get checked every three months, it's okay to start with the carbonate, and switch if your levels drop.

Hello all of you newbies... take it from a veteran.  I had my surgery 3 1/2 years ago.  Tums are ok for the first month or so, because they are chewable.  Some calcium is better than none.   That being said... we should be taking calcium citrate, because with RNY we do not absorb as well as did in the past.  Your surgeons may say different if your levels are ok.   I stick to the calcium citrate, because my mother has osteoperosis pretty bad and since it may be genetic or hereditary, I'm sticking to it.  They are a little large and some of you may have trouble swallowing them.  Thank goodness I don't. There are some chewables that you can buy though. Joanne

I saw the nut. today and asked her about this.  It is because of absorbtion that they say to use the citrate.  She put us all on Citrical Chewables (they're like a chocolate candy type of thing) and she said if people didn't like them we could find swallowable pills instead...but they need to be the citrate. 

 Hi Sandra- I am 2yrs post op - and have kept off the 135lbs I've lost (YAY !) It is all about absorption and  potency. You do need the calcium citrate- Tums won't cut it for you- whether you are 2- 3 6-9- 12 mos postop..And MORE importantly - the longer you are postop- the MORE you need those supplements.. I take  all liquid vitamins and love it- for several reasons: 1- I get them all done in the morning 2- they are 90% - NINETY PERCENT absorbed by the body ( vs pills) 3- the energy and vitality boosts are incredible I just turned 50 - and I just bought a 21 speed bike and first day I rode 12- 15miles; next day I rode 10 miles- and since then- I average 30-60mins a day- in addition to working out with a trainer and hitting my cardio- but Supplements are  very essential. I use the ISOTONIX brand- here is where you can buy them online: http://www.marketamerica.com/nymed/ I take the Calcium plus, the Mutlitech + iron, and  Isotonix Acai- Advanced energy. I would not endorse anything that did not work for me. I have not ridden a bike in years- and my son is 22 and never saw me on a bike - I am younger now than I ever have  been. If you have any questions- please dont hesitate to ask or email me! Donna You can email me