Multi-vitamin Powders- experiences?

Anyone tried Celebrate ENS multivitamin powder or Bariatric Advantage multivitamin crystals? Are there any other versions that may be good? I'm interested in these options due to my work schedule and to reduce number of pills per day. Would love your input on which may be better!! (cross post to diet/nutrition forum)

At one time, I had tried the powder vitamins and just could not do them, there was a "grit" to them.   The taste was so, so.  But, it became less appealing as I continued to use them.  The crystals were ok, but again I didn't like the after taste.   I now use topical patches and am thankful for those!

Good luck! 

Nik

I have never heard of the topical patches. Where do you get them?

I get them from PatchMD. I muse Multi vitamin, b12 and d3 with calcium.  I did have a vitamin deficiency before and I started these and so far my labs are on target.  

Few people use liquid, powdered, or crystal vitamins after surgery. Most use chewables for a while, then switch to generic tablets to save money. Lately, more have been switching to the patch.

Celebrate chewables are very high quality, complete, and delicioys, but a bit pricey.

Why are you interested in the powders?

Hi- I was thinking that the powders would be easier as it seems they include the necessary calcium citrate and D3, and are fewer doses. I have to say that the most confusing thing about this whole process has been the vitamins. I'm unclear how many chewables or tablets I'm supposed to take (2 or 3) and at what times during the day and what can they not be mixed with! AHHH! I work full time and often don't get to take breaks (if I'm running behind with patients), so I thought it may be easier. I'd love any advice though!!

Whether it's powder, pill or chewable, you'll be taking supplements 4 times a day. 

You need 1500-2000 of calcium citrate. But you can't absorb more than about 500 in a two hour span. So most people do 500 at a time, 2 hours apart, 3 or 4 times a day.

You should take iron. I recommend carbonyl iron. It's easier on the digestive system than ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate (any of the ferrous salts). Those can be constipating, and you'll aleady have trouble enough with constipation. But, calcium blocks absorption of iron, as does coffee, tea, soy, and other things. So leave 2 hours between any of those things and iron. But vitamin C helps iron absorption. Most find it's easiest to take iron right before bed, with vitamin c and nothing else.

You need two complete, adult, multivitamins. Get the sort without iron, and you can take those with your calcium. Most people need separate B12 and D3. The B12 must be sublingual. Regular B12 won't be absorbed well. And make sure the D3 is dry, not an oil filled gelcap.

Some people have started using Patch vitamins, as they find it easier. In the end, how much you need of these things is individual. You'll need to always stay on top of labwork, and make certain you are staying in a healthy range.

Thank you so much! That is very, very helpful.

Is there anything wrong with taking the tablet/pill form right after surgery? That would ultimately be my preference, but my RD said chewable or powder without an explanation. I tried the vitalady website and did not find it helpful. Thought I'd come back here!

I think the ASMBS recommendation is for chewable vitamins for the first three months. Having said that, lots of people do regular tablets right away. Some have a lot of swelling, and tablets may be difficult, especially the first week or two. But many others have no problems at all. 

Like most things, you'll need to wait and see how you tolerate swallowing. If it were me, I'd get a months worth of chewables, just to be safe.