Question:
Vitamins
Can we take natural vitamins instead of the surgeons required childrens chewables? They seem to have more vitamins but I do want to be sure and not go backwards in my nutrition. — RebeccaAlex (posted on May 16, 2008)
May 16, 2008
I don't know what you mean by natural vitamins, but doing research on
vitamins, it appears that liquid vitamins are absorbed better than pills.
So I chose liquids. The first brand I used cost $60 a month, and I used
them for a few months, but found them to be pricey. I looked around some
more, found another brand at $20 a month, and guess what? The lesser
expesive ones are the ones I've used for the past 7 months, yet they have
higher vitamin levels than the more expensive brand. They're mentioned on
my profile page,and my lab results are in the end of my long story there.
Lab results are from this past Tuesday, my 2 year labs, after 7 months of
this liquid. Vitamin D is low normal, but that has been an issue that
you'll note from reading my long story. These are as natural as you can
get, no sugars, no calories, no carbs, safe for diabetics, and end up
costing about $1 a day after UPS delivery fees. Price per bottle is
reduced if friends go together and purchase mutliple bottles in one
shipment--reducing the total cost per bottle some $5-7, depending on the
number of bottles on the order. 4 bottles is about $101, costing under $26
for a month's worth per bottle.DAVE
— Dave Chambers
May 16, 2008
Hello, I am still waiting to have a RNY and from everything I have read
and researched "Children's Chewable Vitamins" are NOT reccomended
for WLS patients... they are not potent enough. Get you some ADULT chewable
multi vitamins, you need these! Sincerely, Gerry Smith
— Gerry Smith
May 16, 2008
You can take really any vitamin you can swallow. Most surgeons suggest
children's chewables or adult chewables early on so you don't have any
problems with them getting stuck. After a few months, most people can
swallow a normal sized capsule or tablet. Once I could, I take multi's
from Costco, calcium citrate from Costco, and others I order off of
Iherb.com. All in pill form. I am 5 years out and the only thing I'm low
in is vitamin D. Going to start upping that now. Keep an eye on your labs
and you'll be fine.
— Lori J.
May 16, 2008
Chewable or liquid is really the best for absorption...Swallowing a hard
pill is not easily absorbed and not recommended at all by most surgeons for
those reasons. I chew two adult Centrum every single day. I've used GNC
liquid vits too. And other adult chewables. Many vitamins need stomach
acid that RNYers no longer have enough of...Other vitamins are absorbed in
the small instestines which are bypassed...Then yet, some vitamins are in
oil form and we malabsorb fats and oils! FOR THESE REASONS, you need a
water soluable multi-vitamin that is absorbed in the mouth with saliva
enzymes and then in the pouch where it is already liquid and easier to
absorb without the small intestines. Vitamins in pill form are barely
broke down enough to absorb them and washed out of your pouch before they
do any good for you.
I personally use a vitamin that includes Vit K and preferably does not have
iron as I prefer to take that separate from all my vitamins especially
calcium. The two vits cancel each other out because they are absorbed at
the same receptor and calcium defeats iron every time by binding to it.
That is why there are a lot of iron and calcium/vit d deficiencies.
Calcium should always be supplemented separate too since most multi vits in
any form use calcium carbonate with we do not absorb...Calcium Citrate with
a Dry form of Vitamin D3 and magnesium (so the calcium does not bind you)
You cannot absorb calcium without D3. I learned this 4 years later after
all my deficiences put my health in danger...
Be careful of those "natural vitamin companies" they often are
dosages not designed for WLS people with malabsorption.
You need a good range of vits and minerals in your supplements. This is
only my opinion from my own research and my experience with malabsorption
problems that are all fixed!
— .Anita R.
May 16, 2008
After the surgery, you will not be able to swallow the regular vitimuns,
and if you have a RNY you will need something that works in seconds, as you
will just pass them to the colen without much assistance. Childrens
vitimuns don't work. Look at www.BBvitamins.com for a line of products
that ar for baratric patients.
— William (Bill) wmil
May 16, 2008
You NEVER take children's chewables they will not work for Bariatric
patients. My doctor has me taking Bariatric Chewable Multi Formula
Vitamins. The best I have found are called Bariatric Advantage Chewable
Multi Formula which are high in vitamins B-Complex, A, D, E, K and
essential minerals. You also will need to take a Calcium Citrate. Both are
made by the same company. They come in several different flavors, my favors
are the, Cherry, Orange and the Tropical. Just do a google search for
Bariatric Advantage and research what they have online. You will not go
wrong with them. I swear by them.
— Christopher Pruitt
May 16, 2008
I am 2 months post op with a lap band. I take Centrum Chewables for
adults. They actually do not taste so bad. I also take Calcium (with
vitamin D and K) simply because of the need for these important vitamins,
(also recommended by my Doc).
Jeri
— JeriBrown
May 17, 2008
I use BuildingBlock vitamins, which are made for bariatric patients.
— kathryn_ann
May 17, 2008
I don't quite comprehend such a surgeon's "REQUIREMENT". I
propose to you that you consider to it to be a "recommendation"
or a "suggestion". I've been taking about 40 WHOLE pills,
tablets, etc. per day immediately AFTER RNY surgery (taken at a rate of
about 15 three times over the span of my waking hours). Try taking a whole
"natural" (as you call it) vitamin tablet or capsule. If it goes
down well and stays there, then great. If it doews NOT go well, then I
guess you'd better stick with the chewable form.
— [Deactivated Member]
May 17, 2008
Hi Rebecca. I am over 6 years post op and I was having trouble with the
absoption of regular vitamins and ended up opting for an all natural
vitamin. IT DID THE TRICK!!! I have never felt better. I went with Shaklee
Vitalizer. You can get information at www.shaklee.net/gonegreen4life or
contact me and I happy to chat with you about it.
— Twanda S.
Click Here to Return