Question about chewable vs. regular vitamins
My NUT recommends chewable vitamins for new post-op patients. She also recommends that we take bariatric-formulated chewables because regular vitamins might not absorb as well.
What do you guys take? Since I'm only two weeks out, I ordered a few pills from Bariatric Advantage, but I'd love to switch to a cheaper alternative. Do I really need to take chewables for life, and do they have to be the specialty bariatric ones? I would love to get my vitamins at Walgreens where I can buy one bottle and get another free. I'm a college student, so money can be tight sometimes.
If the chewable BA are the best, I would continue taking them, but if the generic pills are just as efficient, I'd like to switch to them.
I do cheap ones from CVS and Walgreens. I am almost 8 years out and my labs have always been good.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I went severely deficient on designer bariatric vitamins, so I put very little value in them. Centrum makes chewable multi's, which not all docs require you take chewables, they will be more comfortable at first if you can handle the taste, but over time you will be able to handle pills okay. Another alternative is patches. Patchmd.com has a line.
Valerie
DS 2005
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes
Hi.
I ordered chewables from ProCare Health. They are reasonably priced, and the main thing is, I have never had any issues with my blood work. I did chewables for the first 4 moths, then I switched to their capsules. I don't have a problem swallowing capsules. Last year they changed their formula, but realized it was in error, so they are back to the original. A lot of people like them. Call Erin at Ext. 228 She will help you no problem. 1-877-822-5808.
Cheers,
Skotti
"Not every day is Fantastic, but at least I have the opportunity to live every day." ~ Skotti RNY
HW: 419 lbs August 2014 - SW: 340 lbs - GW: 219 lbs
RNY July 7, 2015
I think it's a bunch of phooey that bariatric vitamins are somehow better for us. All you have to do is look at the stats on the back and compare them with other brands. I find that most other brands, like Kirkland or Centrum, actually have better percentages.
You are also not obligated to take chewables for life. Some take tablets right from the start, but it seems most practices recommend waiting six months to give your pouch time to heal/adjust.
Just make sure to stay away from child vitamins, like Flintstones, and gummies. They definitely lack nutrients.
~Jen
RNY, 8/1/2011
HW: 348 SW: 306 CW:-fighting regain GW: 140
He who endures, conquers. ~Persius
on 7/20/16 1:24 pm
I've been on regular multivitamins since day 1. I had to cut the pills up into small pieces and swallow them one at a time for the first week or two, but afterwards I had no problem.
I take the Walgreen's generic version of Centrum Senior. I've added iron and calcium pills, and also B12 after my blood work showed I was a bit low on that one.
Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!