Question:
Tums for calcium cause constipation. Any other calcium sources?

I'm trying the tums pre-op & they do constipate. What other chewable sources are good to get in my calcium??    — Belinda W. (posted on July 22, 2002)

July 22, 2002
Belinda, I use Caltrate 600 Plus Chewables twice per day. They have not constipated me so far, and they don't taste half bad either. They also contain vitamin D which is a must for proper absorption of this vital mineral. Good Luck!
   — Tina B.

July 22, 2002
Belinda, Tums is calcium carbonate. You will need calcium citrate after surgery. I order mine on-line in liquid form, which I prefer to the huge pills that the citrate seems to come in. Try tropicaloasis.com and find it under calcium.
   — Cindy R.

July 22, 2002
Yup, you do need calcium citrate for RNY. I have used the TwinLabs chewables (kind of like giant sweet tarts) but I didn't care for the taste--chalky--and you have to eat 4 a day. I switched to 500 mg capsules with Vitamin D and Magnesium. I get mine from www.bodybuilding.com. I only have to take one in the morning and one at night. They are easy to swallow!
   — ctyst

July 22, 2002
Please do not take calcium *carbonate*!! It does nothing for you, in fact, it can cause kidney stones and you will end up with osteoporosis! It amazes me that there are docs/nutritionist that are still recommending carbonate sources for calcium. The carbonate requires acid for it to be broken down for absorbtion. We no longer have the gastric juices in our pouch to do this. Calcium Citrate is the calcium of choice. It is more bioavailable even in non-WLS folks. Please do your research if you are not sure what to do. More and more WLS surgeons are recommending the citrate after doing their homework.
   — Cheri M.

July 22, 2002
Caltrate 600 Plus is available at WalMart-- it comes in a chewable assorted fruit flavors--cherry, orange and fruit punch--might want to try those
   — Linda L.

July 22, 2002
Linda--not sure if you knew it but Caltrate is Calcium Carbonate--not Citrate. Post RNY bodies won't absorb the calcium from that!
   — ctyst

July 22, 2002
Hey Cheri, thats where I used to get mine until I found out that Michelle Curran has the exact same brand but in a much larger bottle (240 capsules). It is a better value.
   — Cheri M.