Viactiv Calcium?

a) have you asked your surgeon why he/she disagrees with the ASMBS guidelines?  

b) if your calcium is low, blood work won't show it.  Your blood will leech the necessary calcium from your bones.  The only way to know if your calcium is actually fine is to have a bone scan.  

A)" The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has specific recommendations on the recommended doses, but be sure that you follow your surgeon’s advice."

I spoke to my surgeon and NUT and they are okay with me using calcium carbonate. Guidelines are not hard and fast rules. I'm going to trust my doctors who know me.

B) Thanks for the info.  The guidelines for body scan are for women to begin testing in the sixties if they have low risk factors. I have few decades  before that happens. 

I think there is assumption that if one is taking carbonate they are going to suffer from deficiencies or other health problems automatically.

It's interesting to see that your body functions differently than other people, and your doctor and nutritionist are aware of this.

You may as well save your money, since you are absorbing very little of the calcium you are taking. Calcium carbonate is absorbed poorly by everyone, and post surgery it gets much worse. Why your surgeon gave you such terrible advice, I can't imagine.

There are a thousand studies out there that show how much better calcium citeate is when compared to carbonate, phosphate, etc. The cost is the same. There are a huge variety of flavors. Why be stubborn about it?

The ASMBS recommends a bone scan before surgery as a baseline, and every two years after that. It doesn't say to wait for decades.

I wish you luck. Really. You're going to need it.

I am 55 and have recently been diagnosed with osteopenea. If I had waited until my 60's to have a DEXA scan, I would have full blown osteoperosis.  WLS makes you more likely to develop bone loss.  There was a post recently on OH about tooth loss and brittle bones.  The poster said she was taking the doctor recommended dosage of vitamin D and Calcium and it wasn't enough to stop the problem.  Being proactive about your health is essential after WLS.  Deficiencies and problems can develop quickly.  Getting a base line scan early in your WLS journey is a good idea.  Then you can really keep track of your bone health and adjust your vitamins accordingly.

My goal is to  do EVERYTHING in my power to stay healthy.  Calcium Citrate is more easily absorbed by my post op body.  That is why I choose to take it.  I have had friends develop kidney stones from Calcium Carbonate consumption and it is torturous pain. You have the choice in how you treat your body, but I would not play that loose with my health. 

I am 42 but had a bone density scan performed a couple of years ago on the advice of my gyno.  Due to the fact I was pushed into early surgical menopause at age 27, she was concerned.  Rightfully so as the scan showed beginning osteoporosis in my left hip.

You don't have "low risk factors" as a person who has had WLS.  You're the one who is going to have to suffer the consequences of using carbonate instead of citrate, not your surgeon or your NUT.  

Good luck.  

Calcium Carbonate is a big contributing factor in getting kidney stones.  That is one of the reasons they tell us to take calcium citrate instead. 

I also tried the (mint) bariatric advantage wafers and didn't like them at all (anyone want some??? I think I bought a 3 or 6 months supply!).

I do however LOVE the bariatric advantage 500 mg orange chews. They are a little expensive though and 45 calories for the 3 I need to take everyday so I just picked up some calcium citrate tablets now that I can swallow pills.

I really appreciate all of the feedback!  I will call my surgeon's office today because I wrote down that the calcium had to be carbonate not citrate.  Maybe I wrote that incorrectly.  I will let you all know what they say.

So happy I'm trying to get all of this figured out before surgery! 

You saved me!  I just spoke with my program's RN and she confirmed that I DID write it down incorrectly.  I need to take calcium CITRATE!  Man am I glad I have you guys....