And I put it here for a reason, I feel like hardly anyone looks at the protein and supplement links = [..I accidentally, because I was not paying attention, just bought the first calcium I found. It was Caltrate. Well Now that I read the back of it I discovered that it is calcium carbonate, which I don't know why but i feel like i am not supposed to take after surgery. Can someone tell me why? I AM taking them back tomorrow to get calcium citrate, so no big deal...BUT I also bought tums, which I had NO IDEA but they are also calcium carbonate..Can I take those after surgery?

If anyone finds anything different speak up, but I found this article and it talks about all wls, but it sounds like you'd be okay w/ the carbonate. I will attach the article and see if it answers your ? or not.

Good luck!

app.barisecure.com/resources/NIWLS_NMD.doc

From what I was told, the Citrate is more easily absorbed by the body than the other. Carbonate won't hurt, but you might not absorb all that you need. Tums should be fine - just be sure to chew them really well before swallowing.

Yeah I just read the back of tums, and then the back of the caltrate....uhh they are mostly the same thing Except tums actually says it has more calcium in it than the way more expensive caltrate...Tums= 800 mgs in 2 /Caltrate= 600 mg in 2....wow the things you learn...

From what I've learned, we do absorb Citrate better. We can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time so we need to space it out into 3 portions. Also, we need to take our Multivitamin 2 hours from our calcium for best absorption.

After surgery I was taking the soft calcium (carbonate) chews because I figured something was better than nothing. I just ordered the citrate chews from Bariatric Advantage. They were having a buy 3 bags, get one free sale.

Oh Lee I wish I had known you liked those. I just got rid of a bottle of those calcium lozenges from b.a. I could not stomach those! I actually had to switch to a couple calcium a day. I have a question about the spacing. I am supposed to take 2 multi's a day. Should I space those out as well or do you think I'm okay taking them together for absorbtion.

Citrate is better absorbed by everyone. With us being on a PPI, the Citrate is definitely the better calcium source. The carbonate won't hurt you, Tums definitely won't, but Tums have sugar (it's what makes them taste yummy) in them if I'm recalling correctly.

I will be honest that I'm horrible with my calcium intake. I hate taking those capsules, and will figure out one that I like at some point. My instructions were to take my multis in the morning, wait 2 hours take 500mg of the Calcium and then take another 500mg of Calcium at night. I know you have to space out Iron as well around your Calcium, but I don't take any additional iron so I don't know the regimen.

I don't take additional Iron either. Being over 50, I need an additional 500 mg of Calcium so I take one mid-morning, mid-afternoon and after dinner. Anna, as far as the spacing of the multi's, I think it's better to take one in the morning and one in the evening. I'm trying to get in at least 1 Twin-lab multi capsule a day right now. I'll up it to two as soon as I get them 1 routine down. I've always been bad about Vitamins. Before I figured I was eating such a healthy food plan loaded with fruit and veggies, that I didn't need them. UGH UGH UGH

I got calcium capsules and had a tough time with them so I ordered the BA citrate chews. I'm waiting for them to arrive.

Last night I forgot to take my evening calcium and had foot cramps all night. I wonder if there's a correlation between the two. That was the only thing I could think of.

Last night I forgot to take my evening calcium and had foot cramps all night. I wonder if there's a correlation between the two. That was the only thing I could think of.

There is a study out there about leg cramps, and general muscle cramps being relieved with Calcium with Magnesium and Vitamin D. I would have to go dig through google to find it again, but apparently taking the Calcium Mag/Vit D combo at night before bed can help with general muscle soreness and cramping.

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Last night I forgot to take my evening calcium and had foot cramps all night. I wonder if there's a correlation between the two. That was the only thing I could think of.

Would the cramps be from the calcium or lack of potassium?? If I get low in potassium, then I get cramps in my legs or feet. I usually take one tablet a day.

I have been way too low before and had to drink two little dixie cups of it. It was horrid. As bad or worse than the purple crap we had to drink for the post op leak test : (

HA Tiffy! I have good reasoning powers.

PMW, I used to take potassium at night when I was doing Low Carb eating. I haven't had any potassium since VSG so that wasn't a difference for me. The Calcium however was the only difference.

Ok, I'm off to take my calcium and Vit. D before bed! I'll see if it happens again tonight. Hopefully NOT!