Hello All

It has been a long time since I have visited this site but it was indispensable to me when I was starting out and beginning my journey. I am now 3 years out and have maintained a 105 lbs weight loss. I am sooo happy I got sleeved!

I am returning to seek advice for us "old timers" on here. What over the counter brands of Multivitamin do you take?

I have been taking the Celebrate tablets with Iron and have always gotten good labs back. But those are getting too expensive for me and I am trying to find a cheaper alternative. I do continue to eat a healthy diet with Protein first and plenty vegetables and fruit.

Is a simple One A Day or Centrum Complete adequate? And also a Calcium supplement?

Thanks in advance for your input.

In good health,

Erika

My labs came back recently as good except low on potassium, I started taking a gummy prenatal vitamin from my local organic co-op, I also take an Omega 3 capsule, probiotic tablets every few days, and throw Barlean's flax blend into my protein shakes.

I'm not a vet but I got the recommendation for the vitamin I am taking from a vet who has been at maintenance for over two years: Trader Joe's high potency chewable multi-vitamins, take two daily.

@Bufflehead, have you had labs taken since you have been taking them? I just had my 3 month check up and was told I needed to take 6 of the Bariatric Vitamins a day, I was only taken 1....I had labs taken, but haven't gotten the results back. I don't like the huge horse pill that the Bariatric Vitamins come in, would love to have an alternative.

I am 20 months out and for over a year now I have stuck with my gummy multi, mainly because they are super mild and I have found that very few people who take them have any rejection issues with them. I buy them in bulk, cause I know how many I will take over a period of time, and I save some cash that way, too.

I do not worry about calcium at this point. I use almond milk in my coffee and smoothies (I keep bags of fresh overripe fruit now, and drink alot of smooties!). And at 30 calories for 8 oz it is great. It has plenty of calcium. Also regular walking and very modest weight lifting will help your body retain calcium, and strengthen bone.

I am on an almost totally raw veggie and fruit lifestyle 9about 80%), I cannot call it vegan at all cause I do not avoid animal products nor do I avoid consuming them when I feel I need extra protien, etc. I try to adhere to he "color wheel" for my fruits and veggies. The below is copied from a brief article and I attached the link at the bottom. This routine, I feel is the best "multi" anything you can consume.

"The "5 A Day-The Color Way" campaign focuses not only on eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but also from 5 different colors. Blues/purples include blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins and eggplants. They contain flavonoids, phytochemicals and antioxidants such as anthocyanins, Vitamin C, folic acid and polyphenols. White vegetables include garlic, chives, onion, cauliflowers and potatoes. White fruits are bananas and pears. Reds such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, raspberries, red apples and kidney and red Beans contain antioxidants lycopene and anthocyanins. Greens are rich in phytochemicals and essential Vitamins, minerals and Fiber. They include spinach, leafy greens, kiwifruit and honeydew melon. Yellow and orange vegetables and fruits include carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges, papaya and pineapple. They contain beta-carotene, Vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and bioflavonoids."

http://www.livestrong.com/article/216311-the-five-color-diet/

@Bufflehead, have you had labs taken since you have been taking them? I just had my 3 month check up and was told I needed to take 6 of the Bariatric Vitamins a day, I was only taken 1....I had labs taken, but haven't gotten the results back. I don't like the huge horse pill that the Bariatric Vitamins come in, would love to have an alternative.

@Nuchnuch nope, I only had labs done at my one month follow up -- they looked great but at that time I was taking the Wellesse.

As much as I love Dr. Williams, I am a little bit paranoid about getting my lab results read by people who have a financial incentive to find them "bad" (because they want to sell us Dr. Boyce's vitamins) so I am planning to have my PCP do all my labs in the future. I'll see her at the end of October and get the verdict then.

Many including myself have been recommended Flintstones Complete (childrens). You chew 2 a day and they are often on sale at Walgreens, etc. for $3-4 a bottle.

@Nuchnuch nope, I only had labs done at my one month follow up -- they looked great but at that time I was taking the Wellesse.

As much as I love Dr. Williams, I am a little bit paranoid about getting my lab results read by people who have a financial incentive to find them "bad" (because they want to sell us Dr. Boyce's vitamins) so I am planning to have my PCP do all my labs in the future. I'll see her at the end of October and get the verdict then.

@ Bufflehead....great idea! Thanks for the idea!!