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Bariatric Advantage Chocolate Calcium Carbonate Chew (500mg) 60 count
Another amazing chewy bite from Bariatric Advantage. When I received this bag'o'bites I was super excited, because I adored the last batch of calcium and vitamin D bites.
BA says:
Calcium that tastes like dessert – Wow! The Bariatric Advantage Calcium Carbonate Chewy Bite was designed to help meet the calcium needs of those with restrictive weight loss surgery procedures, such as the Adjustable Gastric Band. It is also a great calcium choice for those who are preparing for bariatric surgery. Our Calcium Carbonate Chewy Bites deliver 500 mg of elemental calcium as calcium carbonate in a delicious chew. They also contain 200 IU of vitamin D3 and 40 mcg of vitamin K for the support of overall bone health. These chews are sugar-free as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting extra carbs while you get the calcium you need. Each chew is individually wrapped so you can take them with you wherever you go.
The difference here or "why are you reviewing the same thing?"
These bites are calcium carbonate, a choice for pre-ops, gastric banded patients, vertical sleeve gastroplasties, any other RESTRICTIVE procedure... or anyone without a gastric BYPASS.
Current ASMBS guidelines for postoperative daily vitamin supplementation for gastric banding are the following:
* 1 high-potency adult multivitamin-mineral supplement containing 100 percent of daily value for at least two-thirds of nutrients, including 18mg of iron, 400mg folic acid, zinc, and selenium.* 1,500mg additional elemental calcium split into doses of 500 to 600mg each
* (Optional: B50 complex)
In fact "normals" could utilize these particular bites for calcium and vitamin D supplementation. *waves to the non-WLS'er readers, and my mother.*
The nutrition:
The recommendation for most is typically 1K-1500 mg. of calcium, which means you could take up to five of these in divided doses each day - each is 500 mg.
Yes, it's adding OMG! 75 calories, but come on, get real, that's nothing. They are sweetened with polyglycitol and sucralose, and if you decide to binge on your calcium? Laxation may occur, don't.
"Polyglycitol syrups are a specialty category of hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. These syrups are based on sorbitol and maltitol, both of which are present in levels less than 50%. They contain lesser amounts of hydrogenated oligo- and polysaccharides and maltotriitol. Syrup is its typical form, but it can also be dried and supplied as a solid product."
The bites come in a bag. Individually wrapped in silver wrap. They are about the size of a "Starburst" candy. Each bite is a dark chocolate color, with a entirely smooth appearance, sort of like a chocolate "Starburst!" No, wait...
Let me eat some.
The taste, brownie batter, but this time it is entirely smooth.
Calcium carbonate breaks down with no discernible texture, whereas citrate (no matter how it's packaged) has a slight grit. The bites are super chewy, and taste like chocolate brownie batter, and not like a Tootsie Roll! (I have a thing about Tootsie Roll flavor, no likey.) These are awesome.
- Product - Bariatric Advantage Chocolate Calcium Carbonate Chew (500mg), 60 count
- Via - Bariatric Advantage
- Price - $9.99
- Pros - Little chews of SMOOTH brownie love! ;) Taking calcium, especially if you've been tainted by yucky calcium or choking down horse pills - can be a pleasure.
- Cons -
- Rating - Pouchworthy, MM I would suggest these to non-WLS girls also, who need additional calcium, and are diabetic or would rather not have sugary calcium chews.
Other BA Reviews:
- Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy Bite Chocolate Flavored
- Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenges
- Bariatric Advantage Calcium Crystals with Vitamin D
- Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron 60 mg.
- Bariatric Advantage High Protein Meal Replacement
- Bariatric Advantage Liquid Vitamin D-3 10,000 IU Supplement
I met some of my OH friends for breakfast this morning and while I was talking to them about my second year post op and looking forward to my third year, I told them that I think that I think that it mostly breaks down to two things:
What I do FOR myself
versus
What I do TO myself
When I am doing things FOR myself, I find that I'm funtioning in a more planned, thoughtful mode. I am thinking about what will best serve my long term goals. When I think in terms of meeting my long term goals, I make decisions that empower me. They make me feel good about what I'm doing for me. I tend to make healthier decisions because in the long term, I want to live a longer, healthier life and those decisions move me in that direction. This includes decisions about what I choose to eat and activities I choose to engage in.
When I am doing things TO myself, I tend to find that I'm functioning in a reactive mode. When this happens I find that I am being less accountable to myself and tossing my 'plans' out the window. For me, this leads to doing things like reaching for carbs over protien, not going for a walk, etc... I find that these tend to be self-defeating and sabotaging things that tend to make me feel worse, instead of better.
Now, I'm looking at what I'm doing and I ask myself "Am I doing this FOR myself or TO myself." When I take the time to stop and ask myself that question, I find that I more often choose to do things FOR myself.
Do you find yourself doing things FOR yourself more now than you did before? If so, would you mind sharing some of the things you do FOR yourself?
Barbara
ObesityHelp Coach and Support Group Leader
http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/bcumbo_group/
High-264, Current-148, Goal-145
I had VBG done in May 2004, at surgery I was 296, at 197 I stopped loosing.. hit that proverbial wall so to speak... I had alot of crazy things going on in my life.. wasn't getting alot of sleep, not eating the right things.. stress with my ex, work... etc. I noticed that I was purging more and more as the day's went on but chalked it up to all the factors that they tell you can cause you to purge. In January of this year things got straightened out, work hours better, more sleep, stress with ex at a minimum thought that the purging would stop, boy was I wrong. I made an appointment to see my surgeon, I am back up to 226 and after I told him all the things that were going on and he suggested a CT w/barium.. yeah! had that done a couple weeks ago the radiologist doing my test told me that there was blockage the barium wasn't going into my stomach like it should. He sent me on my way and I was back to see my surgeon, who confirmed that there was blockage, he said from scar tissue and the next step was to have endoscopy done to A.) see if my esophagus is damaged and how much and B.) to have a balloon placed inside my band and try to stretch the scar tissue. As he said the band itself is not stretchable but they may be able to move the scar tissue enuff to create an opening. IF that didnt work he would recommend the RNY. I have been on this site for a while and have read up on alot of the revisions that are done.. when I asked him about doing the sleeve, he did not recommend it as it has not been around long enough and the success is still questionable. I also asked about going from the VBG to the lap band he stated that he also didnt recommend that for me. I told him I was at the point now of just having this removed he said that would create more serious issues for me than the vomitting and would not recommend it. HE is the best in the biz in my state so I trust him and believe what he is telling me. My issue is this, I have gone for the endoscopy with dilitation and found out that may need to be done upwards of 3 times. I go back next monday for my 2nd! I found out that I did have a tear in my esophagus and am now on meds to correct that. From what I can gather from here, that the dilatation is only a "step" in the process it is not a proven FIX. So in the end it appears that I will need to have revision surgery done, and this is just the process I need to take.
I am wondering if anyone else has had similar situation and if so how was it corrected and what has been the success?
IF I have the revision will I again start loosing weight, like I had the first time around, what kind of complications am I looking at?
I guess whatever anyone can provide me with would be helpfull... thanks! :)
Do you have a question you would like to ask of a plastic surgeon, bariatric surgeon, fitness expert, dietician, psychologist or any other bariatric professional? If so, OH Magazine (ObesityHelp) would like to hear from you! Please email your questions to [email protected] and include your OH user name or the signature that you prefer. Your question ,answered by one of our leading experts ,may be published in OH Magazine or in our member newsletter.
All my best,
Tammy Colter
Editor-In-Chief
OH Magazine
