Question:
Anyone tried or have an opinion on Carnie Wilson's Vitamin product?

I found on the web a vitamin that Carnie Wilson is advertising called Vista Vitamins. I went to the website and it says it was created specifically for gastric bypass patients so it has everything needed. I've been doing a lot of research and looking at a lot of people's profiles (which are great by the way!!!)and wonder if this is just "another product pitch" or worth while. My alternative was going to be what I gathered from most of you which is....Biotin + folic acid for my hair, nails and skin. 1500-2000mg of calcium citrate.1000mcg of sublingual B-12. 2 Multi-vitamins (Flinstone or Centrum, I'm not totally sure about the mulit-vitamin selection either!!!). Iron with calcium (Twinlab which has ferrous fumerate along with 500mg of Vitamin C or Perfect Iron + C. It has the breakdown of what the vitamins have on the website but since I am new at this I don't want to get the wrong thing and would love anyone's helpful direction. I've been approved and am set for surgery on Sept. 15th so I'm trying my best to get all my ducks in a row!!!! :) Again, thanks for all the support!    — Lola C. (posted on August 14, 2003)

August 14, 2003
I tried Vista Vitamins when I was a new post-op. A daily dose is 8 BIG pills. I thought they tasted awful. And the taste kept coming back up all day. They do have a chewable out now. They sent me a sample but I didn't try them. They are about $60.00 a month but include all vitamins, iron, B12, and calcium you need per day. Hope this helps.
   — lablady_29

August 14, 2003
That sounds really expensive. This what I do: <p> Walgreens Calcium Citrate Plus 150 caplets for $9.99 <p> Flinstone's Complete Chewable* 150 tablets for $9.99 <p> Vitamin Shoppe Gentle Iron 90 capsules $7 or so <p> Vitamin Shoppe B12 3000 mcg 100 translingual lozenges $6 <p> Taget Vitamin C 1000mg 500 tablets $9.99 <p> I take 3 of the calcium citrates a day so it costs me $5.99 a month. I eat 2 flinstones a day so $4 a month. I take 1 iron capsule per day so per month is $2.33. Vitamin C is taken once daily and cost me $0.29 per month. B12 is taken about 4x a week and only $.96 a month. Total cost per month = $13.57 per month! My blood work is great. So up to you if you feel more comfortable paying $60 a month when you can get do fine at a fraction of the cost. <p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
   — John T.

August 14, 2003
I did take the Vista's for about two months. I did not think it was too bad but just too many and too high. My Dr. has found a new one that they feel is even better than the vista's and they are cheaper, fewer pills, and has more vitamins like the calcium and others. I had to take the Vista's plus about three others but with the new ones it is them and only them, they have it all and they are specially for Bariatric patients. They are called Bari-Blend and they cost $30.00 for a months supply. I think they have a web site you can order from. Just type Bari-Blend into the search engine.
   — Noreen M.

August 14, 2003
Can someone explain how calcium and iron can be in the same pill? I was told to take them at least 1 1/2 hours apart, because something in one cancels the other out, and that you shouldnt even carry them in the same CONTAINER!?!?
   — kathy B.

August 14, 2003
Kathy, yes you're right they should not be taken together. Her pills have iron + vitamin C (which aids iron absorption), not calcium. :-)
   — Chris T.