So my surgeon recommended (said I had to) I buy "Bariatric Advantage" Calcium Citrate Chewy's 500mg & Chewable Advanced Multi EA. From what I gather they are just multi vitamins and iron pills. Is there any reason I need to get these other than they are chewable. I take multi's already and one of the last visits I had with him he said all my levels looked good. I'd rather not spend the $ if I can get past it. Is there another alternative? Cheaper maybe? What do you all take?

Every surgery group is different. The more I read through these forums, the more I figure out how vastly different everyone’s plan is. Some surgeons are very strict and some are not. My surgeon has me on 2 Flintstone Multivitamins and a Vitamin B12 every morning. And one month from now he has me starting a Calcium Citrate regiment. They also strongly advised against gummy vitamins.

56 minutes ago, Sweedfire86 said:

Every surgery group is different. The more I read through these forums, the more I figure out how vastly different everyone’s plan is. Some surgeons are very strict and some are not. My surgeon has me on 2 Flintstone Multivitamins and a Vitamin B12 every morning. And one month from now he has me starting a calcium citrate regiment. They also strongly advised against gummy vitamins.

Same here- Flinstones, b12, Vitamin D. Eventually calcium citrate.

I don’t know if the Bariatric Advantage vitamins are specially formulated in some way that allow for better absorption. I’ve wondered that but haven’t done any research on that.

But in case you didn’t know, all the points you earn by posting on these message boards earns you a discount in the store. :)

Thank you all for the feed back. I've compared my list of vitamins with what was suggested and the only thing missing is the calcium citrate. Actually with the D and B vitamins I'm actually prescribed a higher dosage than what was recommended. Really the only reason I think Bariatric Advantage was recommended is because he sells them in his office and told me to purchase them from him. Pocket change I'm sure but still. I'm sure they are great and that's why he said those but times aren't easy and they aren't cheap. I did look into the points system but when I went to turn them in they only applied to gift cards with a purchase. Unless I'm reading it wrong? Also Flintsones sound like a wonderful throw back to my childhood. Thank you and hope to hear many more suggestions.

I bought the Bariatric Advantage because my surgeon's office uses them, but as long as you get chewable/meltable vitamins/supplements in the dosages recommended by your surgeon, then you should be fine. Shop around.

If you like the Bariatric Advantage, you might want to price check them at this link.

https://texasbariatricspecialists.bariatricadvantage.com/

I believe the price is lower than other places I looked. But I will also be switching at the 3 month mark, just too pricey.

ok All great help. But specifically are the chewable kind a must or can I just stick what I have now and swallow. I've never had an issue with taking/swallowing pills. I take about 7 different pills now in one swallow and some are large. Is it a digestive thing that they want us having chewable? What about crushing or grinding? Will that help with absorption? thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!

This is just me but I would never supplement calcium because it once gave me a kidney stone. But I drank raw milk (did not tell doc) within days of surgery, little sips with my unsweetened whey protein powder. I did have the calcium patches but I never used them. I did not supplement iron because I don’t believe in supplementing iron unless you are anemic. And I did weekly IVs at a natural doctor’s office - meyer’s cocktails. For the first 4 weeks. So I wouldn’t get depleted of vitamins and minerals.

Sounds like you have hit upon what works for you and your body. I salute your recovery.?

27 minutes ago, GotProlactinoma said:

This is just me but I would never supplement Calcium because it once gave me a kidney stone. But I drank raw milk (did not tell doc) within days of surgery, little sips with my unsweetened whey Protein Powder. I did have the calcium Patches but I never used them. I did not supplement Iron because I don’t believe in supplementing iron unless you are anemic. And I did weekly IVs at a natural doctor’s office - meyer’s cocktails. For the first 4 weeks. So I wouldn’t get depleted of Vitamins and minerals.

Edited June 24, 20188 yr by J San
not what i asked

I never asked about supplementing with milk. I want to supplement with a cheaper version of what they are trying to sell me. Sorry for you f**king up on yours but that's why i'm asking.

My surgeon advised against gummy vitamins and flintstones. If you look at the recommendations the flintstones vitamins fall short on a few things.

The Bariatric vitamins are a bit more expensive but I’m willing to pay a bit more for my vitamins as long term it is easier to prevent deficiencies than correct them once they occur.

I had a bypass though so it may be a bit different. I order through here sometimes and use the Celebrate Vitamin chewable with iron. I use sublingual b12, chewable vit D, calcium citrate, and extra iron as well.

Did they give you a vitamin sheet with how mu h of each vitamin you need? That's what my surgeon did. They said a high potency multi vitamin (I use 2 Flintstones complete for 200% rda), then extra b complex, D, b12, calcium, and iron. They suggested brands that meet all the requirements, but I like my regimen. More small pills to take/chew, but I have seen too many complain about the huge nasty all 1 one bariatric varieties. So far so good for me, except vitamin D. But I'm taking 3x what they recommend, so we will see what happens.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Many centers/surgeons sell Bariatric-marketed products as a revenue stream for them, not because they’re better or necessary, but instead to make $$.

IMO, don’t waste your money on new vitamins that are equivalent to the ones you already have. I got caught up in the madness and purchased chewable and dissolving vitamins prior to surgery, but then afterwards they made me nauseous or caused me to throw up because they contained Sugar Alcohols. Post-bypass, SAs no longer agree with me.

You don’t need to worry about vitamins the first month post-op; instead, your #1 priority should be on getting more than 64 oz of fluids each day. Then after the first month you should be able to take vitamins in pill form, but preferably one at a time, not a big handful like what you may have done pre-wls. And the large pills may need to be cut in half.

REMINDER: Iron, calcium, and thyroid medication need to all be taken separate from each other (2-4 hours apart) as they will impede absorption if taken together.

Edited June 25, 20188 yr by MarinaGirl

Just found out an,interesting fact. Immediately presurgical OSU issues you a pill crusher and a pill crusher I of your very own. Isn't that just precious of them! Maybe I should get a t-shirt saying that? Perhaps
I came to OSU for the gift of surgery****
I got 5 slits, a pillcrusher,a pill-splitter and I had to buy my own shirt! *** July. 2018
And have it in their colors---❤-- Scarlet and Gray