Question:
Do we have to take chewable vitamins?

I wondered if it would be ok to take an adult multi vitamin post op. I really can't stand the taste of chewing them. I had RNY distal surgery. 4/12/01    — Char B. (posted on April 26, 2001)

April 26, 2001
I am not post op, but I have a child and she takes liquid vitamins. I bet they have adult vitamins that you can get via a dropper that taste good or can be mixed in with foods. Lots of people can't swallow well.
   — Danine N.

April 26, 2001
there is a vitamin developed especially for bypass patients. you get order it from vita4life.net...these are the one my surgeon reccomends. you can take the chewable kids vits or and adult multi vit but they dont have everything you need long term. you would have to take additional calcium, iron & b12 supplemts too i believe. also, you are distal so you have more malabsorbtion than a proximal so vits are very important to you. i would talk to your surgeon to be sure what he recommends.
   — Kathy831

April 26, 2001
I had open RNY on 4/13/01 and my Dr had me start with kids chewable vitamins. It took me a couple of different kinds but I find the One a Day kids complete are really good. I take them twice a day plus as an added bonus they come in these neat sports shapes. Let me know if it works for you.
   — Barry R.

April 26, 2001
I just had my first Dr.'s visit, and it was explained that we would be expected to take a multi-vitamin w/minerals (& iron at first), daily for the remainder of our lives. The reason given that they prefer the children's chewables is that they are especially designed to absorb thoroughly and quickly, therefore being perfect for us. After they check blood levels, etc. then it's determined if you need to continue the iron additive. After everything is stabilized, then it's our choice to take adult vitamins or continue with the chewables. But the nurse said that we will get more from a children's chewable than from a higher dose adult swallow type, due to the absorbability. Made sense to me. They also had no preference to kinds or brands, just that you faithfully take it daily.
   — Anne J.

April 26, 2001
I'm also distal RNY. I've been using a regular swallow multi as a base all thes years. I take my iron, C, A, D, E, zinc and calcium in swallow form, as well. I'll drink protein & take pills all day, but don't make me taste icky things. I'm with you. I did chewers for 1 month, then started swallowing and have had no problems with it at all.
   — vitalady