Question:
1 week out from RYN surgery and can't seem to take meds

I had my surgery on 8/10. The first few days home were good, but then I seemed to get this nasty taste in my mouth which would not go away. I tried brushing, gargling and more, but could not seem to get ride of it. Even my kids were like "I not going to kiss you, you stink" I believe that the meds and protein shakes caused it. I haven't found too many protein shakes I like after surgery. And the liquid vitamins taste nasty. Especially the calcium magn. It says to put in refrigerator and it clumps up!! Uck!!! Does anyone have any suggestions on vit. for right after surgery and the schedule you did to take them?    — Lauren M. (posted on August 18, 2009)

August 17, 2009
Lauren i had this done 070609 and i took and still taking Walmart Brand COMPLETE Chewables which come in all kinds of flavors. I took them three times a day and did so morning noon and night and sometimes at night it was 11:30pm time i took last one. you will get there hang in there!
   — alaskaman

August 17, 2009
Hi Lauren; My physician recommended Bariatric Fusion which is a cheweable an does not taste bad. It is taken four time a day and that is all I have to take in addition to the protein which I use a liquid protein from GNC and mix it with water. Good luck it is still early and things will get a lot better.
   — mmartel1

August 18, 2009
Check with your nutritionist for suggestions since every doctor has a different regieme. I used Bariatric Advantage chewable vitamins and took calcium citrate not magn. For a multiple vitamin I used Centrum chewable. In the beginning it's very difficult to get enough protein in and your tastes change after surgery. U can get samples from www.enjoyhealth.com or www.bariatriceating.com. Good luck. It will get easier.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 18, 2009
That nasty taste is not from the vitamins but from lack of eating. Its called ketosis. Its perfectly normal. Yes it is nasty but it does get better when your a little farther along. Your calorie intake is so small right now. My dr didn't even have us start vitamins for like the first month. I use Bariatric Advantage vitamins they have a multi vitamin in capsule form so no chewing. Thier calcuim is very good also (I use the mint). I also found a trick for my protien shake I add about a teaspoon of malted milk (found in the coffee isle with syrups at Walmart) any flavor it only adds a few calories and makes it more like a shake. I use Unjury protien and 5-6 ice cubes with soy milk and the malt and sometimes unsweet choc. syrup. My kids will even drink them!! Everthing will taste yucky at this point in ketosis. Good luck
   — ToniLee

August 19, 2009
Hi Lauren...I agree with the last poster...the bad taste and smell to your breath is due to ketosis, you can read all about it in any Dr. Atkins diet book. He purposely puts you into ketosis so that your body burns it's own fat for fuel. Anyways, you can make it go away by having just a few more carbohydrates....but remember!!! The most important thing about WLS is to get your protein in first and foremost! At this early stage, they give you quite a lot of leeway about that, because you are healing. When I was at your stage, I drank a LOT of IsoPure ready-to-drink 20 ounce bottles, because they taste like adult koolaid and have 40 grams of protein, and were easy to sip on all day long. Then, I found the www.bariatriceating.com site, and discovered their Inspire peanut butter cookie, chocolate peanut butter fudge, and carmel latte protein shakes, and they are so yummy that I refuse to give them up, even though my surgeon's registered dietician has said that I should be getting all my protein from food now and that she doesn't want me to be drinking protein shakes. But there are just those days, when maybe a meal gets "stuck" and you have to throw up, and you don't make your protein goal for the day -- then YUMMY! I get to have one of my favorite shakes to make up the difference! It doesn't happen often, but enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I also bought a liquid Cal-Mag with D, and even though I didn't refrigerate it, it STILL clumped up, so I went back to my chewables that I get from Max Muscle here in Denver (they work with my surgeon and he recommends their products to most of his patients). Problem is, they are tasty while you are chewing them up, but leave an awful, bitter taste in the mouth a few minutes later. So I save my Bariatric Advantage chewable multi-vitamin for after I've taken my calcium - to get that taste out of my mouth. I chose Bariatric Advantage because you only have to take them twice a day, and I have problems enough doing that. Taking something FOUR times a day would be a nightmare for me (as with the Bariatric Fusion - which I tried and still have sitting on my counter for use if I happen to run out of my BA). I ordered the BA right from their website, and chose the automatic ship option (meaning you get a new supply every three months without having to contact them, and they just debit your credit card when they send it out). When you do it that way, they don't charge you for shipping charges. Good luck, and happy healing!
   — Erica Alikchihoo

August 20, 2009
don't worry...IT WILL GET BETTER! when i first had my surgery (22 mo.ago) i did not want to eat or drink anything and my mom kept pushing things on me because she, of course was worried. if you can't get in all the vitamins, protein, calories, and liquids at this time don't worry you will get to the point where you can soon enough. you will be ok for a while and your body will let you know when it's ready. some doctor's don't even recommend their pt's to start taking vitamins and stuff until after the first month or so! i never could take the liquid or chewable stuff, because the smell and taste of it made me sick so i have been taking the regular tablets since surgery and my labs always look great! you will have to adjust things and individualize your plan to meet your needs-work closely with the nutritionist and together you will find what works for you. hope this helps...Holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

August 20, 2009
i have found the BEST protein powder ever!!! it is called Unjury and you can only order it online. it is a bit pricey but it is totally worth it. i mix mine with decaf instant coffee in the Bullet mixer that i have and it is totally yummy!!!! tastes like a latte!!!! i have one for breakfast every morning and sometimes another for a snack. i have been taking flinstones vitamins 2 times a day for the past 3 1/2 years and they dont leave any after taste either.
   — kyky1992