Question:
What do ya'll take every day??

Hi and Happy New Year. OK, here's why I ask this. I have read many posters say they take this or that because it has this or that in it that helps with (you guessed it) this or that. Here is what I take each day per my doc; Trinsicon twice a day (Rx), Flinstone vits twice a day, Calcium once a day. Now I am 8 months out and I have lost 112 lbs (YEAH!) of an open RNY, I have skin that could cover another person, and I notice my muscles are not as big as they were (or I THOUGHT they were big with the fat layer covering them) I go to the gym 2-3 times a week, plus walk all the time. I HATE every protein drink I have tried so I am relying on my food. ok, almost done, my question is what are some suppliments I can take to help increse muscle growth/strength and elasticity of my skin? Do ya'll take anything?? And just an added note:, You have all been the biggest blessing in my life and if any of you ever want to get together..COUNT ME IN! Thanks in advance for your answers :)    — Gina D. (posted on December 29, 2002)

December 29, 2002
Here is what I take: Morning: CEntrum multivitamin Ginko Biloba Ginseng (energy) enteric coated asprin (I take this for other health reasons- it has been O.K'ed by ALL of my docs) Afternoon: Calcium with vit D and Mag Night: Calcium with vitamin D and Mag Zinc Biotin Vitamin C
   — Vicki L.

December 29, 2002
Hi there. You didn't mention how many mg of calcium you are getting but you said you take one calcium a day. It sounds to me like you aren't getting enough. I was told we need AT LEAST 1500mg of calcium a day because of the malabsorption. I take 5 Citracal + vitamin D a day. Then I take 1 400 IU of Dry vitamin E (without the capsule), 2 biotin 1000mcg each, 1 500mcg sublingual B12 (5 days a week), 1 zinc 50mg, 1 Materna + iron prenatal vitamin, and 2 Fiberchoice (no sugar added) fiber tablets. I know that sounds like a lot but once you get the routine down it's not that bad. If you are that far out though I don't think there is a whole lot you can do about the skin issue now. That is my understanding anyway. Keep up with your water, protein and exercise and when you get closer to your goal you might want to start researching a plastic surgeon. I am only 5 months out but I can tell already I am going to be one of those unlucky folks with an extra skin problem. So I am doing my plastic surgeon research already. Good luck!
   — Laurel C.

December 29, 2002
I take B-12 1000 mg sublingual and 50 mg carboneal iron with 500 mg vitamin C in the morning; one Flintstones Complete and 400 units of vitamin E at noon; 500 mg Calcium Citrate and Boron mid afternoon; another Flintstones Complete and 50 mg Zinc at dinner time; 500 mg of Calcium Citrate and Boron early evening; then 500 mg Calcium Citrate and Boron and 10,000 units of Vitamin A with 400 units of Vitamin D at bedtime. So far my labs have been great. Am getting a bone density test done in Feb 2003 just to be on the safe side.
   — LLinderman

December 29, 2002
Gina, I don't believe there is anything you can take to improve the elasticity of skin. Your skin elasticity is a combination of your age (younger is better), how long you were heavy, how often you have gained and lost over and over again, and good genes (have to be born with..) For muscle growth, the best thing you can do is go to a fitness facility and hire a good personal trainer to help you build muscle.(usually the folks that work at the fitness facilities are not certified as fitness specialists so watch out). As for the vitamins, you need 1500 mg of calcium a day and no more than 500 at a time, so up your dosage and be sure it is calcium citrate not carbonate.
   — Cindy R.

December 29, 2002
Protein--keep trying, join the protein list. Vit E, one that we malabsorb. It has to be taken in dry form, not oil gel. And more calcium (citrate only). 1 a day cannot be 2000mg, which is what yu need, minimum.
   — vitalady