Question:
Calcium?

I have a concern with this VIACTIV Calcium Plus D, don't gastric bypass patients need calcium citrate?    — FSUMom (posted on October 9, 2010)

October 9, 2010
I just had RNY on 9/27 and yes we do need calcium citrate. However I have heard that chewable citrate is available. If you google it I am sure you will find a suitable substitute. Good luck with your new lifestyle.
   — kittymama03

October 9, 2010
Yes... the other kind (caltrate) requires stomach acid to dissolve and be effective for us. After RNY, you have much less stomach acid. So... it's important that post-op RNY patients only use calcium citrate. I am currently treating myself to the Calcet creamy bites... each one has 500mg of calcium citrate (some only have 250) and tastes like a little treat! My surgeon recommends 1500 mg of calcium per day, so I take three of them. I say "treating" because they're expensive, but I'm spending so much less on food I've decided to give this to myself for now (8 months out). I'll probably look for something cheaper eventually. Of course, calcium is important for bone health, avoiding osteoporosis, etc. And post-RNY, we don't absorb as much calcium from food as we used to, so this is very important to your health!!
   — Greg K.

October 10, 2010
Look at what the Vita Lady has to offer http://www.vitalady.com/ Also a RNY Patient. Plus http://www.bariatricadvantage.com/catalog which through the Obesity Action Coalition, there's a form to get vitamins for FREE http://www.bariatricadvantage.com/page/oac
   — Michael Eak