Question:
Expensive vitamins vs. el cheapo vitamins?

I'm currently purchasing my post-op supplies. I'm confused about what type of vitamins to buy, my physician has suggestions, but no real advice other than to definitely take vitamins. Are there any differences between pricier vitamins (vista vitamins, Bari-tec, etc) and the Flintstones chewables? Or are they all pretty much the same?    — Laurie A. (posted on September 26, 2002)

September 25, 2002
I have taken to reading and comparing the back of the bottles. I have noticed that if you are looking for calcium for example, we have to have the citrate variety. I comared the store brand with the name brand and found that in some cases the dose may be different. So the store brand may be just as good, but you may have to take 4 a day instead of 2 of the name brand to get the same mg dose. Thats a matter of personal choice..I opted to pay more and take less pills, especially early on. One thing that I did buy that was store brand was Walgreens A thru Z vits..it has 100 of most everything...it is the same or BETTER than several of the really good brands. It is $14.99 for 365 caplets. Their comparison name brand was more money for WAY less vits. Good luck Terri RNY 10/15/02 P.S. dont forget to chop or crush them immediately post-op
   — cherokey55

September 25, 2002
Since I had trouble swallowing large pills and capsules for a while, I use Liquid Health multiple vitamins with a small amount of grape juice. I got this at the local naturalpathic physician/health food store.
   — Darlene P.

September 25, 2002
My physician told me to take the CVS Pharmacy store brand (generic) DAILY MULTIPLE PLUS IRON. There's 365 tablets for about $8.00 - $9.00. He suggested this particular one because the tablets are small and easy to swallow. Good luck.
   — Peggy D.

September 25, 2002
Hi Laurie, I'm glad to see your taking your vitamins. Since you eat a LOT less you need to take a LOT more vitamins. To answer your question about quality of vitamins, yes, the quality DOES make a difference. I take Nutrilite vitamins and have had zero problems with my weight losss. No hair loss, anemia, nothing. My sister has been an advocate of vitamins since the 70s and proved to me that quality make all the difference. Try putting a cheap vitamin in a glass of water for 15 minutes. If its not totally dissolved, whats left would just pass thru you and not be absorbed! I also believe it's not what they put in the vitamin, but what you get out of it and the cheap one give you lot less nutrition than a better produced one will. Good luck on your weight loss and keep up the good work. God bless. Don
   — Don A.