Vitamin Questions

When I had my appt with the nutritionist it was a 4 hour meeting and we went over so much material that now I'm confused. I was looking back over the printed information she gave me and now I'm really confused. I know that I will have to have supplementation for the rest of my life. I'm very clear on that. My B12 will be monthly injections, so check. The vitamin D will have to be a prescription liquid (because of pre-existing stuff), so check on that.  So Here is where I get confused, My program recommends Centrum chewable for the multi and pretty mush any calcium chewable as long as it's calcium citrate.  Will those be ok? Down at the bottom of one of the printouts, it mentions Bariatric Advantage and Celebrate Supplements as being specially formulated for WLS patients. Would those be better? They are definitely more expensive, which isn't a problem if it's necessary.

And if your tastes change so much after the surgery, how do you know that the Mega bottle of chewables you just spent a fortune on pre op will still be something you'll tolerate after?

I'm sorry this is so long, but I want to make sure that I start out doing the right thing. Thanks to all that read and reply.

Hey kiddo... I had to start cheap because of all the initial investments.  Best bang for the buck is to buy Centrum Chewables at Walmart on-line (free shipping and about $9 a bottle) and Costco Kirkland Calcium Citrate tablets (300 for about $7)   These are not chewables, but, here's a little secret about these Calcium tabs - they are too big to swallow at first without cutting them into 4ths, which is what my NUT recommended.  I wanted to see if I could dissolve them instead and found out they fall apart in water like aspirin does, which is a good thing but not to try and drink - blech.  They are grainy.  Point is, as soon as pureed foods are allowed, you can swallow them whole, one at a time, and they will just crumble inside your pouch with no worries.

I've tried the Bariatric Advantage Chocolate Calcium Chews and couldn't stand the texture.  I ended up smashing them into a powder (in a zip lock! haha) and adding to Fage yogurt for a calcium protein whammy. 

There's no getting around the trial and error period... we just get smarter and hunt down samples or trade with other WLS friends.  LOL

Thanks Ruthie! That helps a lot. It's nice to know that I can go with the less expensive options and not cheat myself nutritionally.

  It's funny. I'm not nervous about the surgery it's self. I'm nervous about the after and all of the details that go into preparing for the after part!!!  So, thanks again for helping me with one of the details!!!

Most of the "specially formulated for WLS" is an exploitative gimmick. Go with what Ruthie suggested. You'll be fine. Could you tell me a little about your liquid vitamin D. Is it cholrcalciferol and water soluble not oil based?

--gina

Gina, I'm honestly not sure about the specifics on the liquid vit D. I already have really low levels of vit D after taking 2000IU for over 6 months. So, my endocrinologist was very concerned about the malabsorbtion after the bypass. She and my surgeon got together and decided that my best chances for not becoming dangerously low after surgery would be the high potency liquid. I just nodded and said, "ok.".  I guess I should have asked more questions!!! lol  I'll see my surgeon on Thursday to go over my tests and if nothing is wrong, set my date!!! I'll try to remember to ask about it then. I already have a books worth of questions! lol Thankfully, Dr. Davis is so very patient and will stick around until all my questions are answered.

Thanks for the info about the gimmicks. I didn't know and boy, am I glad that I didn't waste my money on them!!!

You might ask about D3 shots and follow on supplementation. One of the bariatric surgeons in TX is offering them. Dr Stewart in Houston, I believe.

--g

Thanks, Gina! I will write that down in my questions' book so I'll remember to ask about it. Everyone on my team is a little worried about how low some of my levels are before surgery and how low they could get without supplementation. Vit D and potassium are the worst offenders, but I hope it won't stop me from having the surgery.

Well, take a look at Vitalady's basic RNY plan and maybe talk about it with your dietitian and endo. The A, E, D and K are water soluble vitamins made by Bio-Tech Pharmacal (www.biotechpharmacal.com/ ).
Link to Vitalady's plan: www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/ProgramPRNY2-2010.pdf You start with these and tweak as your labs come in and you can track the trends. I have celiac disease, and the DS, and I'm able to absorb them. My labs are awesome with most of my labs at optimal levels.

--gina

Just so you know... Post surgery for a couple of months, I was taking prescription strength Potassium that was a coated pill I cut in half so it would digest. One time, I just happened to look in the toilet bowl at just the right time and there the little yellow sucker was... laughing at me!

Remember this anecdote when buying or being prescribed anything. We have to go with chewables, powders, liquids, shots, capsules, or at least definitely not coated!! (Did I miss anything Gina?)

and, not oil based, D2 or beta carotene. lol  You got it, Ruthie!