Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Why all the different vitamins? Why not just take bariatric multivitamins?



Recommended Posts

Ive been trying to get myself together for my surgery on 2/28, buying broth and Protein Powder out of this world. I spent about a week doing all kinds of research on different Vitamins and supplements, and which would be cost effecient. I finally talked to my NUT and asked her about a few name brands, she tells me as if I take Bariatric Fusion (sold in their office), I wont need to take additional vitamins and supplements. The Multivitamin cost $24.99 for 120 chewable tabs. My confusion is, why arent more people using bariatric Multivitamins for all the supplemental needs?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bariatric multivitamins are designed & compounded for RNY patients. They need much higher doses because a they have undergone a procedure that creates a malabsorption issue that we do not experience.

I am of the opinion that sleeves do not need Bariateic Vitamins. We do need Vitamins, but pretty much any will work for us. There is nothing wrong with them, I simply do not believe they are necessary for us.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Price, taste, personal preferences are all good reasons to use other Vitamins. I've never tried the Bariatric fusion chewables, but I've read enough posts to know that most chewable vitamins taste bad.

I already had a big bottle of multivitamins before surgery, so I just bought some sub-lingual B12 complex and Calcium.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had never heard of Bariatric fusion before and it doesn't seem to be sold many places yet, so i'm thinking it might be a newer product. Having looked at there website i think it sounds quite interesting and may have to give it a try.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bariatric multivitamins are designed & compounded for RNY patients. They need much higher doses because a they have undergone a procedure that creates a malabsorption issue that we do not experience.

I am of the opinion that sleeves do not need Bariateic Vitamins. We do need vitamins' date=' but pretty much any will work for us. There is nothing wrong with them, I simply do not believe they are necessary for us.[/quote']

Hmmm... I was to by my NUT that these Vitamins were good for both sleeve and Rny patients. The dosage is different tho.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The bariatric Vitamins taste horrible :(

I take flinstone complete chewables

Even those aren't very good

We were able to sample in our pre op class, and they taste good to me. But ive noticed most ppl that dont like tums, dont like chewable multivitamins. I personally dont mind the taste.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

HEY!! We're going to be surgery twins. 2-28-13 for me too. I've bought gummi Vitamins at wal-mart because I can let them dissolve in my mouth and not worry at the very beigining about chewing them. I'm a band to sleeve so I've been through alot of this before. Just make sure to take some kind of vitamin...it definitely makes a difference in how you feel. Good luck on the losing side and safe surgery

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason I won't take them is because they make me want to vomit. I've never tasted a bariatric Vitamin that doesn't taste disgusting. After trying about a half dozen different vitamin types, I gave up and joined the Gummy vitamin people and just supplement as needed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take a bariatric multi Vitamin daily PLUS a dosage of B-12 daily per directive from my surgeon and nutritionist. I also take a 5000 mcg does of Biotin daily with hopes of helping my hair return to it's original thickness. The doctor who performed my surgery also has everyone do bloodwork to ensure his patients are healthy. I know from our preop classes that a lot of patients must also take Iron, Omega 3 fish oil and Calcium supplements

I use the bariatric formula chewable Vitamin available at Walgreens pharmacy. Anyone who can chew a flintstone's vitamin can easily chew this bariatric viatamin and receive a lot more of the Vitamins and nutrients you need. If I were to describe the taste it would be similar to the flavor of orange tang being in powder form and compressed into a pill. No problem at all. The B12 supplements I take tastes like cherry and the Vitamin D I take are avaiable through my doctor's office and they taste like an after dinner mint.

You may have to check around to find something you like but to be the healthiest I can be is what is important to me and my family. After all, the reason I had this surgery was to feel better and overcome diabetes and high blood pressure. Since my surgery I have not taken any of my diabetes medication and am only taking 1/2 of my usual dose of high blood pressure medication which I hope to lose once I lose a little more weight. I forgot to weigh this morning but I started at 293 and weighed 211 last Monday. I try to not be addicted to the scale and only weigh once weekly. If I miss one day I weigh the next morning.

Remember, losing weight is important. However, being healthy should be our ultimate goal!

Good luck to everyone on their journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The reason why bariatric Vitamins are not popular here is frankly, because we do not need them. Be cautious of whatever your NUT is trying to sell you, IF she is selling to you, I wasn't clear on that. All we need are basic multivites, Calcium, and some are told to take B12.

I get mine from costco - 250 Vitamins for about 10 or 12 dollars. That is the most economical way to buy them. We do not malabsorb so unless you are already deficient in something there is just no reason to spend that kind of money.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×