Vitamins

Hello All, I am scheduled to have my RNY surgery in about four weeks. I am in business mode now and am trying to get all of my vitamins purchased. I am having trouble choosing the vitamins because of fears of dumping or wrteched tastes. Searching around, it seems like all the reviews have some people dumping, but not others, and I am really confused. I am assuming liquid for the first month, and then a chewable after that? Is it really that hard to take a regular pill after a couple of months? I would love some advise from a bunch of RNY people. In particular, could you give me the following information: 1. What multi-vitamin (that worked - although it might be useful to know what made you dump too) did you use: BONUS: Where is the best (cheapest) place to get it? 2. Which Calcium did you use (again, the bonus applies ;-) 3. And finally, for the B-12 as well. Thanks everyone!

I am 11 days post op and have been taking flintstone complete chewables every day before and since surgery.  No problem and they were recommended by my Dr. Good luck! Dawn

I have had no problems swallowing the equiv of two tylenol size pills at a time.  I know a lot of RNY'ers can't swallow pills like I can, though. I personally use a Multi- soft gel capsule. It is bigger than what most people can take though. After I finish this bottle since I have now progressed to tablets without problems, I am going to go back to GNC Women's Ultra-mega vitamins since the softgels are a lot more expensive. The B-12 I use a sublingual from CVS by Nature's Bounty that was fairly inexpensive and it was 2500mcg. The calcium citrate w/ D that I use was also CVS brand, as well. Hope this helps!

For the first 2 months after my surgery I did the flinstones chewables with iron.  Then after getting tired of the taste, They recommended a regular vitamin, Walgreens brand is what I use because it is a complete Multivitamin with iron that is about the size of or smaller than a regular size aspirin and it has a little coating on the outside.  It also says on the bottle something like lab tested to dissolve in less than 60 minutes.  Runs about 3 or 4 bucks for 100.  Something for you to think about a few months after surgery.  As for Calcium, I just use Calcium Citrate Petites.  I don't take a B12 supplement regularly, just occasionally and my levels are/have been perfect!  Hope this helps and good luck with your surgery.  If you need post op support, just PM me.

I had RNY in May, 2006. I've tried a variety of pills, chewables, and other forms. Here is what I use and found it to be most convenient. I hate to swallow large pills, which most adult vitamins and calcium citrate pills are shaped.  I opted for a high B level liquid vitamin that's listed in the PDR and had additional health benefits for the obese person losing weight. It's mentioned on my profile page. Secondly, I also use a calcium citrate powder, mixed with shakes or oatmeal, etc.. This way I have no large pills to swallow--vitmains or calcium citrate. And the liquid vitamins supplies more than twice the RDA levels in one ounce of liquid.  I opted for the simple away around my phobia about large pills--and I know there are many out there with the same feeling. I still take my prescription meds, but those are small pills, easily swallowed.

My nutritionist suggested using chewables for the first couple months after surgery to aid absorption, plus it's easier on our pouch.  I went through one or two bottles of the children's chewable vitamins from Trader Joe's, then switched to a women's mega multi-vitamin in regular pill form.  I still buy my sublingual B-12 at Trader Joe's - can't remember the exact price, but it's cheaper than any place else I've found.   Good luck with your upcoming surgery!!! Kellie

1. What multi-vitamin (that worked - although it might be useful to know what made you dump too) did you use: BONUS: Where is the best (cheapest) place to get it? I finally settled on Centrum Adult Chewable Multi-Vitamins.  I did some extensive research on various multi-vitamins - some recommended by my Nut, some recommended here on OH.  I post the spreadsheet I created on my blog.  Here's the link:  http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2008/01/mulit-vitamin-compari son.html I buy mine at Wal-Mart because it's convenient ($10/100ct) but I've heard that CVS often has sales on this kind - but I never go to CVS so I never catch the sales.  LOL

2. Which Calcium did you use (again, the bonus applies ;-) I use UpCal D.  It's a powdered calcium citrate with Vit D.  It mixes into anything you're eating or drinking (even plain water) and it's totally tasteless.  I actually just dump the tiny scoop of powder on my tongue and take a swallow of water.  We definitely need CALCIUM CITRATE after surgery for the best absorption.  I buy my UpCalD from Colonial Medical -- they have an Amazon.com storefront or you can buy directly from their website.  I have links to their products on my OH profile - here's the link:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/pwsammy/uzone,blog/action, comments/blog_id,61570/blog_post_id,142721/  It's $10.95 for 227 servings for the 16oz jar. Or you can get 120 individual packets to carry in your purse for $11.95.  Best prices I've been able to find on the web is from Colonial Medical.

3. And finally, for the B-12 as well. I buy my sublingual B12 from Wal-Mart.  It's 5000mcg and I take it 3 times per week (according to my surgeon's instructions).  I think it's about $4.95 for 60ct -- or something like that.  Good luck! Pam

Hey Pam! Thank you for your excellent post! As well, your blog is incredible!! THis is the type of info I needed.