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

Recommended Posts

I just added up how much the Vitamins my surgeon wants me to take after bypass. Annually it's $1,177! He wants me to take the following:

Bariatric Advantage Advanced Multi EA twice day

Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chews 3x a day

Bariatric Advantage Probiotic twice a day

Biotin once a day

B12 once a week

I'm thinking I could probably save some money on the Calcium and probiotic by finding a different brand...?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I take Centrum chewable Multi-Vitamin daily

Biotin -daily

B-12 daily

Vitamin D daily

Iron daily

I stopped taking the Calcium because it has not been an issue for me and my diet is calcium rich.

My Vitamins cost 36.00 per month. I get them at Walgreens, Walmart, and The Vitamin Store.

I'm almost 15 months out and all my blood work has been great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, MonkeyNurse said:

I just added up how much the Vitamins my surgeon wants me to take after bypass. Annually it's $1,177! He wants me to take the following:

Bariatric Advantage Advanced Multi EA twice day

Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chews 3x a day

Bariatric Advantage Probiotic twice a day

Biotin once a day

B12 once a week

I'm thinking I could probably save some money on the Calcium and probiotic by finding a different brand...?

I'd look at it more like an investment into your health and lifestyle Vs. an expense. Then again we also sell Bariatric Advantage Vitamins in our store so my advice could be a bit biased :) You're also (most likely) going to save a ton of $ after surgery since most people end up buying less food. There is a difference in Bariatric vitamins vs Centrum or others you buy at the corner pharmacy. Whatever you do end up using, make sure to monitor your labs on a regular basis and you'll be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

36 minutes ago, MonkeyNurse said:

I just added up how much the Vitamins my surgeon wants me to take after bypass. Annually it's $1,177! He wants me to take the following:

Bariatric Advantage Advanced Multi EA twice day

Bariatric Advantage calcium citrate chews 3x a day

Bariatric Advantage Probiotic twice a day

Biotin once a day

B12 once a week

I'm thinking I could probably save some money on the Calcium and probiotic by finding a different brand...?

Compared to the medicines that you would've needed to help treat the maladies as a result of obesity, this is a drop in the bucket. Just what I need to treat my diabetes alone amounts to over 200 a month. Test strips, needle tips for the pens, and lancets. It all adds up. 1,177.00 for a year of Vitamins and supplements would be a substantial savings for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My nutrionist has me on:

Department store brand Children's Complete (equivalent to Flinstones Complete) chewables....2 per day

500mcg B12 (I get whatever's on sale on Amazon)

B-50 B Complex (again, whatever's on sale works)

5000IU of Vitamin D (cause I'm deficient...and again, what's on sale works)

And 600mg of calcium citrate with D....twice a day (I buy a department store brand...buy one get one free)

I would be very surprised if I spend over $300 per year.

Edited by Creekimp13

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is the price for chewables. I'm hoping when I switch over the capsules the price goes down. Good point @Alex Brecher about saving money on food. I'm on my pre-op diet and my wallet hasn't been touched in 2 weeks :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

While Vitamins will be necessary the rest of your life, the type you have to take (chewable vs pill) can change after your Dr oks the move so you may be able to move to cheaper alternatives.

My NUT gave me a list of 4 brands and how much I would have to take of each and what I would need to take to supplement if I went with the Flintstones chewables. My clinic also has deals set up with the major brands so I get 15% off by using my clinic code. With Bariatric Advantage, I also save by putting my vitamins on subscription to be automatically shipped and then I get free shipping on those orders.

My GERD drug which I won’t need to take any longer is $276 (my co-pay thru mail order) every 3 months. Not mentioning what I’ve saved ok food, I am saving money.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is an ad from Bariatric Advantage that really drives my point home.

You would need 58 Centrum chewable vitamins every single day if you wanted to meet the latest ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery) guidelines!

why you should use bariatric vitamins.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know that the Vitamin stuff is really hard to figure out because the Medical Community is not always on the same page. But...with that said, one of the things my Surgeon really stressed that using a BARIATRIC Vitamins are the best way to get what we need after our WLS. With that said, I figured that I wanted to take whatever I need to be healthy. I use Celebrate Multivitamins. They are something I feel that I don't want to take chances with. They aren't that expensive I don't think. I also use Capsules and my DR told me if they were too large to swallow that I could open them and put them in food. Applesauce, yogurt or oatmeal. They weren't too large for me. I did use Centrum chewable right after my RNY, but they were way t sweet for me. Just like was said, think of the price as an investment towards your health. Good Luck. Have a great evening.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd look at it more like an investment into your health and lifestyle Vs. an expense. Then again we also sell Bariatric Advantage Vitamins in our store so my advice could be a bit biased [emoji4] You're also (most likely) going to save a ton of $ after surgery since most people end up buying less food. There is a difference in Bariatric vitamins vs Centrum or others you buy at the corner pharmacy. Whatever you do end up using, make sure to monitor your labs on a regular basis and you'll be fine.

What is the difference between centrum for women and your bariatric Vitamin?


HW. 289
SW. 284
Height. 5’8

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been searching for a drugstore Vitamins that meets the bariatric standards and haven't found anything yet. I'm doing two chewables daily. They're super gross and I'd love to find something else [emoji23]. I'm also doing bariatric calcium chews. Again, haven't found a drug store equivalent.

Everything else I'm getting at the drug store. Biotin, probiotic, and Iron (vitonC, which is easy on the stomach). I haven't done the math, but these things are not terribly expensive and are things I probably should be taking whether I had surgery or not.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, dreamynow said:


What is the difference between Centrum for women and your bariatric Vitamin?


HW. 289
SW. 284
Height. 5’8

Here are the nutrition facts for Centrum Women:

centrum women.jpg

Each tablet contains 3 mcg of B-12.

ASMBS guidelines require 350 mcg for Gastric Bypass, at a minimum!

You'd need to take 116 Centrum Women pills to hit those #s.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every Dr. is different, I guess, Mine doesn't indicate that I need a bariatric specific Vitamin. My blood work has always been A-ok with Centrum. He does recommend a bariatric specific vitamin for RNY patients, just not for sleeve patients.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So....

That's just over $3 per day. Less than a Starbucks Latte.

I don't see the problem [emoji6]


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Vitamin outline says to take certain Vitamins separately because some vitamins do not absorb with other vitamins. Like I have to take Iron separate from everything else. Same with vitamin D. Zinc and iron can cancel each other out, so it is better to take them separately. Most Multi Vitamins even the Bariartic ones lump all these vitamins together. You can save money with a regular multi, and then buy the the vitamins your need to supplement in higher doses separately. I am anemic, always have been so I have to take a high grade and dose of iron, but even with that, I spend less than $50 a month on supplements and $50 is high, it is probably more in the $30-40 range.

If you want to save money, just compare the doses of the vitamins that your Dr wants you to take and look around for regular vitamins.

B-12 and D-3 are cheap and affordable at Sam's club. I purchase almost a year and a half of B-12 at Sam's for 9.99 or 12.99 or something. It works fine my B-12 is off the charts high.

Saving money takes a little more leg work than just buying the Bari formulas, so it ends up being time vs 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

    • AmberFL

      2 of the Biggest NSV thus far in my life; 1) my 6yr old daughter can wrap her arms around me for the first time ever! 2) My 12yr old son is having a basketball game for the parents vs. their players and I am playing with him! Its been awhile since I played basketball so I have been practicing lol but I would never had even volunteered to do this 70lbs ago! 
      This surgery has changed my life for the better!
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        That's fantastic!

    • Newtransformation79

      It has hit me today, as I sit in my chair at work that I don't have my belly sticking out to where it would hit the desk. Oh and I can cross my legs more comfortably. It amazes me just how much I have loss in inches vs actual pounds, I have lost 24 lbs all together. But I believe in inches all over about 3 inches. I am noticing more energy and have pep to my step. My skin is a lot clearer. My watch band is shorter by 3 notches. the little things are what I am noticing. When I bend over I don't feel out of breath or I am going to fall over ( weeble wobble). 
      I am having a hard time with my sweet tooth, it is very hard to not want to get some ice cream or chocolate. Candy I can do without. I have no craving really for that, just chocolate and ice cream. I have gone as far as taking Popsicle and putting them in my mixer with almond milk and making like ice cream with that/ sometimes I have added un-flavored protein powder. 
      I feel better everyday. The energy is great to have with having younger kids and being able to have the energy to keep up. 😃
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Manisha Sharma

      Buy Dohar Set Online: Top Picks for Cozy Comfort & Style 
      Check out our top selections for cozy bedding, perfect for adding a touch of style to your bedroom while ensuring warmth and comfort. Find the best Dohar sets online for ultimate comfort and style.
       
      Visit - https://amoliconcepts.com/product-category/throws-quilts-dohars/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      If anyone has any advice on how to make your stomach feel better after you eat something you shouldn't have or at too fast, I would GREATLY appreciate it!! It's painful on both sides of my abdomen (like to the point I'm doubled over and using a hot water bottle in addition to medicine) and I'm really nauseous (the thought or smell of food is 🤢).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Mandirigma

      Just wondering if any of the Type 2 Diabetics also have there blood glucose go high when having only a Premier Protein drink for breakfast?  How does Premier Protein compare to BOOST Glucose Control in your experience?
      · 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

    ×