Vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements are important for staying healthy when you’re a bariatric surgery patient. Not every patient receives the same advice and some patients don’t know the best options. This forum is a great place to let everyone know which bariatric supplements YOU take. Can you please take a few minutes to share which dietary supplements you take? Thanks for spreading the word!

1. Do you take a bariatric daily multivitamin/mineral supplement? Which brand and formulation specifically? For example, you might take Centrum for Women or One a Day Women’s Active Metabolism.

2. Which bariatric vitamins and minerals do you take each day? What is the brand and formulation of each? For example, you might take Puritan’s Pride Calcium Magnesium Vitamin D or Nature Made Iron 65 mg (ferrous sulfate).

3. Which other supplements (including herbals) do you take, and what brands are they? For example, you might take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas fish oil.

I take many different ones every day, all can be chewed except for Biotin 5mg from Bariatric Advantage. I know I need all of them. I take 4- Fiber Choice; 2 fish oil adult gummies from nature Made; from Bariatric Advantage I take: B12, probiotic, multivitamin and calcium citrate with vitamin D. It's a lot but I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

I take MultiVites gummy multivitamin and Calcet Citrate and Vitamin D Chocolate Creamy Bites. The Calcet Citrate bites are the only ones that I've found that I can stand to take (but they are deelish ). They're 30 calories per piece. You have to take 2 per day, so that's 60 calories I wish I didn't have to "use" on vitamins. Would love to hear from others!

Does anyone take a pro-biotic? I'm pre-op but, I currently take a pro-biotic. I'm taking a pill form now but, have the powder kind, too. I prefer the pill kind but, I'm afraid of it getting stuck. What size pills are generally okay?

name brand: It Works! Global

multi vitamin: It's Vital Core Nutrition (multivit: vitamins/minerals/antioxidants/phytonutrients)

supplement: Greens (2 tiny scoops = 8 servings veggies) (I rarely get past my Protein so this helps me get in my veggies)

--toss both into morning Protein shake or add greens to bottle Water

Personally I find the greens helps kill my cravings & hunger; I just generally feel better & have more energy

misc others:

name brand: Hylands

supplement: Bioplasma 12 mineral cell salts (dissolve under tongue)

name brand: pH Miracle (products help reduce acids & increase alkalinity) www.phmiracleliving.com

supplement: ChloropHeal w/ mint (add droops to water)

supplement: Omega 3-6-9 (flax,borage,hemp oil blend) (this I take occasionally, when I need to poop)

--not sure if I will continue these when supplies run out b/c I prefer the It Works products

I eat a variety of foods now and seem to be doing just fine on my vitamin intake. When I feel that I'm limiting my diet more I'll take Vitafusion gummies to help fill in the gap. Personally, I've found the bariatric specific vitamins to be a tad overpriced.

Does anyone take a pro-biotic? I'm pre-op but, I currently take a pro-biotic. I'm taking a pill form now but, have the powder kind, too. I prefer the pill kind but, I'm afraid of it getting stuck. What size pills are generally okay?

I take Bariatric Advantage's Chewable Probiotic. 90 pills are $24.95. They taste fine.

I use It Works! Its Vital Pack which include:It’s Vital^™ Minerals:• Sea algae-derived Aquamin® premium mineral blend with over 74 trace minerals• Support for healthy bones and teeth with 250% the RDA of Vitamin D• Maximum calcium absorption with Vitamins K₁ and K₂ (MK-7), ensuring calcium stays in bones to help minimize arterial calcification• Keep your heart strong with Vitamin K₂ support for cardiovascular healthIt’s Vital^™ Omega-3:• Triple strength fish oil-derived DHA and EPA fatty acids to help maintain and support healthy cholesterol levels• Natural rosemary-based antioxidants to fight free radicals and support health cell growth• Support for healthy joint movement and for the body’s response to minor inflammation• Lemon-flavored softgel that’s easy to swallowIt’s Vital^™ Core Nutrition:• Gluten-free, plant-based, whole food complex• Patented controlled-release technology for sustained nourishment throughout the day• Mind/body energy blend to stay energized and sharp mentally and physically• Improved metabolic support to boost your body’s ability to burn caloriesIt Works! Greens which equal to 8 servings of fruit and veggies, detoxify, alkalize and promote pH balance filled with 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods. Not to mention they are delicious!Website: www.showstopperwraps.myitworks.com/shop

Opurity Band Optimized Multivitamin 1 daily

CVS brand calcium chews 2 daily

Natrol Biotin 1 tablet daily

I try to be good and take these every day. I had (and still have) absorption issues so even if I'm eating perfectly I still need the boost from Vitamins. I had blood work done at the end of June and all vitamins checked were within range.

I take Centrim silver chewable vitamins as I'm over 60.

I bought comprehensive Bariatric multivitamins from Health Foods Unlimited, they taste ok and met the nutritional guidelines the nutritionist gave me.

I used to never take anything, then finally started taking the Target brand multi-Vitamin for men. I was having a lot of problems with tiredness after starting my fills again, so the lap band office took blood and found i was really low on B-12 and very low on D. She told me to buy them at costco.

b-12 = 1000-1500 ccs

D3 = 5000 IU

and Krill oil - Mega red is the name brand.

All of these i just swallow every morning.

It has helped a lot with the lack of energy.

I'm about three weeks post op and my Vitamin intake looks like this:

Opurity: Band Optimized Multi - Chewable (when I wake up)

Bariatric Advantage: Chewable Calcium Citrate 500mg (3x per day, usually with each meal)

Nature Made: Adult chewable Vitamin D3 1000iu (nightly)

Wellesse: Vitamin B-12 sublingual liquid (nightly)

Unfortunately, Bariatric Advantage stopped selling the calcium (they ran out apparently) and I hope they have more in before I have to obtain more...or I'll just switch to their Chewy Bites which are much more tasty, but a bit more costly.

David

Twinlab Bariatric Support Chewable Multi plus Iron - berry Flavor 1 tablet

NOW Certified Organic Spirulina - 500mg

La-La Liquid Probiotic - 1 bottle

On the list of things to start soon:

Calcium

Fish Oil

B-Vitamins

i take a Centrum chewable daily, and if i'm going to be traveling i drink an EmergenC every day. I've noticed I'm low on calcium and iron. I have been trying to take the Viactiv caramel calcium chews but i forget a lot (which i'm sure is because i don't really like them). What do folks do for Iron?

i take 80 mg protein (food or supplement) daily. i like chike high protein coffee. or any of the nectar products. i buy from amazon.com. amazely cheaper.

alsoVitafusion Women's complete multivitamin. gummy vitamins. B-12 5000mcg kirkland brand, natures blend vit. D 5000 units. vit. b-50 nature made. also kirkland sugar-free calcium chews. 500 mg. twice a day. just had blood work and everything is normal except the calcium. i used to take 3 a day now 2.