I’m gonna hold off a while on giving the answers so more people have a chance to give their thoughts.  Please feel free to comment on each other’s answers, too, with your thoughts.

If you take a multivitamin with 100% of the RDA of most vitamins and minerals in it, how much should you take a day?

Can you take your calcium supplement at the same time as your multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.

What important nutrients are missing from Flintstones?

Why should we not take gummy multivitamins?

Do we need a chewable multi?  When (if ever) can we start taking a multi that we swallow?

Do we need a “bariatric" multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.

If you take a multivitamin with 100% of the RDA of most vitamins and minerals in it, how much should you take a day?

TWO!

Can you take your calcium supplement at the same time as your multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.

If your multi has iron, no. If not, yes. (I used to take Centrum Silver because it has no iron.)

What important nutrients are missing from Flintstones?

Um...a whole bunch?

Why should we not take gummy multivitamins?

I have no idea but my "theory" is because a) they probably contain sugar, b) they might not break down fast enough for our shortened systems and c) cuz...really? Gummy vitamins? What are we, in kindergarden?

Do we need a chewable multi?  When (if ever) can we start taking a multi that we swallow?

I did a regular swallow pill from the onset so I'd love to know what the official answer is. I only recently started doing chewables and mostly because the flavor motivates me to take them consistently.

Do we need a “bariatric" multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.

Not necessarily, although I think it's probably a good idea, provided the vitamin has the right formulation. My surgeon's office recommended a combo of Centrum Silver, Citrical Petites and a regular iron pill. They have begun to see a lot of Vitamin A deficiencies and my NUT says she thinks it's because of the Centrum Silver. So I think taking a bariatric vitamin is a good idea if you get one that complies with the ASMBS recommendations BECAUSE they are formulated taking into account our absorption (they break down better using the gut juices we have) and some have the ideal dosage and dosage instructions for us.

Nik, did you like pop quizzes in school?

Uhhh..that depends. Does my answer factor into my "grade"?

;)

 

 You crack me up!!

 f you take a multivitamin with 100% of the RDA of most vitamins and minerals in it, how much should you take a day? 2

Can you take your calcium supplement at the same time as your multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.
Yes you can but your body does not absorb more then 500 mg so if your multi had that much you are just wasteing a pill

What important nutrients are missing from Flintstones?
D3  and then some?

Why should we not take gummy multivitamins?

they usually have sugar and dont absorb/melt in our systems

Do we need a chewable multi?  When (if ever) can we start taking a multi that we swallow?
No we dont need one but early out it maybe easier to use a chewable if you have trouble swallowing a huge multi.  You can use a regualr multi as soon as your body allows it.

Do we need a “bariatric" multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.
No we dont need one. as long as you are getting in the 200% of the vits/nutrients that your new body needs use what works for you. Most bariatric vits have all the vits/nut that we need and I say most as some like to say they are bariatric friendly and they are far from it.
 

 If you take a multivitamin with 100% of the RDA of most vitamins and minerals in it, how much should you take a day?  Two x's a day

Can you take your calcium supplement at the same time as your multivitamin?  Explain why or why not. Yes, if it doesn't have iron in it. No, if it has iron in it. In that case, you should wait 2 hours before taking the calcium.

What important nutrients are missing from Flintstones? TOO MANY!!! :D

Why should we not take gummy multivitamins?  Missing essential minerals (like calcium, iron, selenium, etc.), AND we are not kiddies who need a "treat"!

Do we need a chewable multi?  When (if ever) can we start taking a multi that we swallow? Not forever, just suggested in the very beginning until we heal. It depends on what your surgeon says sort of. Most seem to say within the first few months, you may begin taking a multi that can be swallowed. I personally still take the chewable Centrum, 'cause I really don't like to swallow pills, and I swallow enough others, so I give myself a break with that one.

Do we need a “bariatric" multivitamin?  Explain why or why not.  Not necessarily. Any over the counter multi that has 100% of the recommended RDA of most vitamins & minerals will give us what we need if we take it the correct way.

 

What do you mean, I don't need a treat?

*hides the gummy bears behind my back"

 Kelly, I'm so glad you posted this.  I've learned quite a bit and I'm very happy about it!  First of all, I'd been taking gummies but realized recently that they didn't contain so many of the minerals we need.  So I switched over to Flintstones.  I have always done well on Centrum but the pills make my stomach hurt, so I am delighted to find out that there are chewables now.  I'll just have to find where I can buy them.  

I'm so glad the one person who posted about not taking all your calcium at one time and taking more than 500mg at one time is ineffective.  I was aware of this years ago when I was a massage therapist but confirmed it with an ortho nurse once so I could be assured of giving my clients accurate information.  I talked about calcium with magnesium alot because people with leg cramps sometimes are deficient of magnesium and sometimes potassium.  Another tidbit about taking calcium is it needs to be taken about 4 hours away from taking any thyroid medication as it can effect the absorbtion of the thyroid.  

Thanks again Kelly, and to everyone else who posted!  I learned a lot!

Aloha,
Barb