I'm cross posting this because no one is answering me over on the Nutrition board. LOL

Just wondering what types of Vitamins everyone is taking. My surgeons office highly promotes Bariatric Advantage but their chewables are YUCK. I know I won't stick with them. They have these capsules, I am considering ordering them, but hten I worry what if they are too big to swallow? and it is 6 a day of those... I want something I can stick with.. They also have these crystals that you can dissolve in your drinks, which sounds great, but dang they are expensive!

Calcium I think I'm gonna have to go with the fruit chewables..had some samples...they taste like starburst from bariatric advantage, but I see bariatriceating.com has some good lookin ones too.

What about Iron?

And I am freakin out about getting Protein in. I'm only almost 2 wks out..so I only am getting in around 27 per day. I don't wanna lose my hair!

Suggestions? Thanks!

I am looking for the same information. My surgeon's office also sells Bariatric Advantage, I purchased the starter kit and starting taking them at about 2 weeks out. The chewable multi vitamin is gross and the calcium lozenge is not much better. I have since purchased the calcium fruit chews, those are actually pretty good. I am taking two capsules (vitamin D and Actigall) and have no problem swallowing those. I would love to get some suggestions on some better multi vitamins.

There are a few different ones out there. I bought from Celebrate.My link vitacost.com also has some chewable Vitamins and Iron, however they are not specified bariatric so you will have to compare nutrients.

I also use Premiere Protein drinks from costco, or Amazon. Amazon is more expensive. I have one for Breakfast each day and that gives me 30 grams of protein right off the bat! They taste like choc milk.

i use the Celebrate bariatric chewable multi-vitamins, and I use the Gold Whey protein (24 g. protein per serving). I also just ordered some sublingual b12 as I read somewhere that you don't create as much b12 with the sleeve. Hope that helps!

I am also using the Bariatric Advantage. I have been looking and looking because I don't want to lose my hair either. I hear it doesn't start thining until 3-6 months post op. If you figure out what to take, please let me know.

Thanks

There are a few different ones out there. I bought from Celebrate.My link vitacost.com also has some chewable Vitamins and Iron, however they are not specified bariatric so you will have to compare nutrients.

I also use Premiere Protein drinks from costco, or Amazon. Amazon is more expensive. I have one for breakfast each day and that gives me 30 grams of protein right off the bat! They taste like choc milk.

Hmm I'll have to try those from Costco! How many calories are in one?

I am looking for the same information. My surgeon's office also sells Bariatric Advantage, I purchased the starter kit and starting taking them at about 2 weeks out. The chewable multi Vitamin is gross and the calcium lozenge is not much better. I have since purchased the calcium fruit chews, those are actually pretty good. I am taking two capsules (vitamin D and Actigall) and have no problem swallowing those. I would love to get some suggestions on some better multi Vitamins.

How big are your capsules? what is Actigall?

I love the Celebrate chewables with Iron, and their calcium citrate plus 500 chewables as well. For both of them, I only have to take 4 chewables a day which is more than half of what I was taking between my other chewable (GNC solotron chewable with iron which I still love), and Citracal petites.

As for Protein, it's not going to keep your hair from falling out. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no amount of protein will keep your hair intact. Focus on fluids, and once you get to mushies, getting in protein is so much easier. Plus, you can add greek yogurt to sugar free pudding or Jello powder for added protein minus the carbs/calories of regular fruit yogurt. It's loaded with protein and that will help.

Iron should be in your multi. Make sure you are taking Calcium Citrate (at a minimum of 1000mg per day preferably 1500mg if you aren't able to eat a lot of dairy yet), plus you should be taking a sublingual b12 because the portion of the stomach they remove is where the intrinsic factor is and it's necessary to break down b12 to be absorbed by the intestines.

Also, if you are taking a multi with iron, it can not be taken within 2 hours before or after your calcium as the iron interferes with the absorption calcium.

If your multi doesn't contain iron, then you'll have to take yet another pill if not 2-3 per day.

I switching up my regimen right now to see which I like better. Right now, I'm taking my calcium in the morning, 1 chewable first thing in the morning, another one with lunch then I take my multi right around dinner time and another one right before bed. I switch it up sometimes with the multi in the morning, and the calcium at night. For my 18 month labs last month, my b12 was double the high, so I've cut my sublingual dosing down to twice per week instead of every other day.

Tiff, your post are so thorough which makes things doable. Thanks for being out there and sharing knowlege.

Hmm I'll have to try those from Costco! How many calories are in one?

160 calories!

1 gram carb

and 3 grams fat

How big are your capsules? what is Actigall?

They are both a little shorter than a dime, so neither are very large. The Vitamin D is part of the Bariatric Advantage line. The other one I am taking it to prevent gall stones since I still have my gallbladder.

ah I see!

Thanks ladies!

Thanks Tiff for that great detailed post!

I take the sublingual B-12, prilosec, 2 Flinstones complete chewables, 2 tums (for Calcium... they told me to start with that during healing time)..... and i think that is it!

As for Protein, I am still on liquids but I was told to get 70g a day. I am around 50-60ish per day normally all thanks to Myoplex. I get the dark choc one and drink it over ice. It is only 260 calories and has 42g of protein in 16oz. I also do the little packets that make Soup or "punch" and each have 15g.