Lapband to RNY revision

Hi all!!! 

I had lapband surgery in March of '07.  I'm now scheduled to have my band taken out and revised to gastric bypass on Sept. 13th, '11.  Basically because I've learned to eat around my band and I've gained all (and more) of my weight back. 

I took my vitamins the first year after having lapband, but then I was told I really didn't have to take them because the band didn't have the malabsorption.  Well here I am only a week and a half out and I need to get my vitamins ready for my next surgery.  All I can remember is that it's a pain in the butt to crush meds. and vitamins, etc. and it's nasty tasting.  So, what vitamins can you all recommend that are liquid or chewable and tolerable for a RNY patient?

Thanks,
Erica

I had the revision on the 10th of August. Right now I am take a chewable vitamin daily, I think my Dr. wants to discuss further vitamins here in a couple months but for now I am taking a flinstone daily. Congrats and good luck

I used the Centrum Chewables for the first few years, now just
take a regular tablet. Bariatric Advantage has some good ones,
as does Vitalady, and it looks like Unjury is starting to get into the market.

Just remember that Flintstones don't really give you the quality
of vitamins and minerals that your body needs, as well as the fact that you need to be taking twice the amount of necessary vitamins and supplements.

Vitalady and Poet Kelly are two of our resident experts, so
if they tell you something, pay attention!!

Good luck with your surgery.

Lynn is on it, and she's right about Kelly... genius!

I have to do 200% RDA of chewable vitamins. One A Day has come out with chewables. Also, we have to take iron which is NASTY when crushed or liquid form. Bariactric Advantage is just about the only brand I've found that sells chewable iron... and I've looked about everywhere. That is the one I just could not do without.

Also, I take calcium chews and a sublinqual B-12. If you've not ever had it before, Papaya Enzyme is helpful to have around when food gets "stuck". I don't know if I've ever gotten stuck or just sticky lol!

Congrats on your decision! I have a friend that had lap about a year ago and she's miserble. I hate it for her and wish she'd consider a revision like you. Very brave. Good luck!!

I had a revision 10 weeks ago from lapband to RNY and couldn't be happier!!  I take liquid calcium; Twice Daily Multi Vitamins; VD3; Iron and Vit C.  I am in a routine now so it is easy!!!  I wish you the very best.  I had the lapband Nov. 06 and removed Aug. 15/11.  I am losing weight effectively and couldn't be happier!!

I had the lapband done in July 2009 and due to being placed in the wrong spot I had a revision to gastric bypass on July 11, 2011.  It is the best thing I have ever done and should have done the bypass in the beginning.

I use Centram chewables, Citracal gummies, Vit. D tablet, B12 sublinqual but changing over to the nasal spray, Bariatric Advantage iron (which I think is really good).

So far my labs have all been really good.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Aren't the Citracal gummies calcium carbonate?

Kelly - the one's that I bought I asked the pharmacist before I bought them (I actually asked which one I shouold buy).  I also ran them by my nutritionist - she said they are calcium citrate...they are "new" and have added vitamin D3....hope they were right - if not I'm obviously taking the wrong kind :-)

OK, I looked them up because I was really hoping they were calcium citrate.  It would be great to have an easy to find chewable calcium citrate in regular stores.

But.  Here is what the Citracal website says:

Citracal Calcium Gummies are a delicious way to meet your daily calcium + vitamin D3 needs. Calcium + vitamin D3 provides enhanced absorption to help keep your bones strong. This soft, easy-to-chew form is ideal for those who have trouble swallowing pills.

Product Benefits

• One serving provides 500 mg of calcium (as tricalcium phosphate) to help keep your bones strong*
• One serving contains 500 IU of vitamin D3 to help your body absorb calcium
• In soft and creamy orange, cherry, and berry flavors

They are tricalcium phospate.  Which we do not absorb.  Your nutritionist needs to learn to read labels.  As far as the pharmacist, maybe he didn't know RNY folks need calcium citrate.  Or maybe he needs to learn to read labels too.  But these are definitely not citrate.

I'm a revision as well (band '08, RNY 8/1).  Your story sounds very familiar and sadly too common.  You may also want to check out the OH revision boards and there is a "my band didn't work" group as well...

I take two gummy One-A-Day VitaCrave Gummies a day, four gummy Citracal Calcium (Make sure you have Calcium Citrate not Carbonate) and get a B12 shot from my surgeon once a month.

Double check with your surgeon on when to begin taking your post-op vitamins.  Some advise right after surgery.  My surgeon had me begin at stage 3 (soft foods).  Also, you can check with your nutritionist as well and he/she may have suggestions as well.

I started on B12 tablets, calcium and regular women's one a day to get me prepared for surgery.