Vitamins, Calcium, and B12?

[KimK813 2]

I was told that I need to take a Multivitamin daily. No problem! Then someone tells me to take a Calcium supplement. Alright, got that too. Then someone else says Biotin. What is that? Then my doctors say I need B12. STOP!!!!

My surgeon advised to take the Multivitamin. He said no need to the Calcium (I take a small dose anyway). Biotin only if I have hair loss issues. But the B12 was recommended by my primary and my Gyn. (I don't see my surgeon again till December).

I feel like I am in a see of supplements! Help!

[tko7 0]

I think each surgeon has their own requirements. My surgeon has me taking 2 flinstone's chewable multi-Vitamins, calcium citrate, Iron supplment (all of these daily) and then every other day I take a B-Complex.

It seemed like a lot in the begining - but I'm getting used to it.

Just check with your surgeon and follow their instructions..

good luck on your journey~

[CutieBJMR 0]

Hello, about 3 weeks ago I was feeling sluggish and depressed wondering why, especially after going from 246 lbs to 195 lbs I should have been bouncing off the walls. My sister told me she started taking B-12 (she does not know I have lapband) and it was keeping her balanced and more energy. I started and boy does it make a BIG difference, so I am taking (at bedtime) Centrum chewables, B-12, B-6, Vitamin D, folic acid and Viactiv Calcium chews...now I feel complete and whole again.

[bwhitty 1]

Since I being diagnosed with Diabetis a few years back I was really packing in the Vitamins of all sorts + meds. I would say out of all the ones I have taken and tried I will keep up with my: multi-vit, Vit D, Omega-3 (it helps keep your skin more elastic & good for your brain), Iron, Calcium and Vit-B12

I found that VitaminShoppe has a nice selection of liquid Vitamins, including multi, D, Calcium and more. I'm mixing most of those in my shake in the morning and makes life a lot easier then popping pills :frown:

[neenee717 37]

Probably because although we havent had bypass surgery you still need alot of nutrients with our intake of food being reduced. I was told by nutritonist and my primary to take Multivitamins. I take B12 b/s I have diffiency but I hear band patients can become deficient in it and I take Biotin as well. Mainly because they say a side effect of anesthesia and lack of Protein can cause some Hair loss. I am 7 wks out and I make sure I have 5og or more of protein per day. I still take the biotin anyway. cant hurt I figure. I would say listen to your primary doc cause you will see them more I gather than the surgeon espcially to make sure you dont become Vitamin deficient which is easy to do. I was doing chewable vitamins but they were NOT giving me what I needed an adult woman. I dont take Calcium because I get it with the Vitamins, plus I drink alot of soy milk and eat alot of greek yougurt and other yogurts

[StrangeDz 1]

I do two gummi Vitamins, 1 viactiv Calcium chew and a dropper full of b complex (sublingual) daily. Gonna have to try the Biotin...

[Southern Leo 0]

My surgeon told me to take 2 Vitamins, calcium citrate. I have the chewable vit. but wondered if the Calcium has to also be chewable? I can get it at GNC but it's not chewable cal citrate. He didn't mention taking anything else

[Melissannde 41]

B-12 should be sublingual (the kind that dissolves under the tongue) or liquid for best absorption.

calcium citrate you can take the pills or do chewable, whichever works for you. I can't do the large pills, they hurt, even breaking them up and taking with applesauce (s/f of course) or yogurt.. did not work for me. I can take the Citracal Petites, but sometimes even those hurt.. even cut into small pieces.

The Calcium I prefer is Bariatric Advantage chewable lozenges. The chewy bites aren't bad either. None of them are going to taste absolutely wonderful.. but these aren't bad a'tall. :eek:

Nothing magic about BA.. Celebrate, Bariatric fusion, Building Blocks and opurity also have good vitamins/calcium for WLS clients. Write to each company and ask about samples. Many of them will send you some to try. Bariatric Advantage is EXCELLENT at standing behind their product. I wrote them to ask why over 1/2 my calcium lozenges were broken in my bottle and they sent me a free replacement.

I eat Low fat cheese and get nonfat milk in my coffee and I still take extra calcium. I saw what my mom went through with hip fractures.. do NOT want to go there.

Edited November 7, 2010 by Melissannde
more info

[Southern Leo 0]

Thanks, I got samples of the chews...not bad but seem to cost more. I'll probubly use them down the line too. I guess I'm worried about too much! I like yogurt and cott cheese so I will get some other form of Calcium but want to make sure I get enough. Wasn't told I needed to get B-12 but haven't finished yet so we'll see!

[Boo_68 6]

Have you had any blood work done through your PCP? After having a full workup done my whole routine changed. I now take 4 Childrens chewable Vitamins, B-12 Shots (once a month and I LOVE THEM) calcium citrate and I found out I was extremely low in Vit. D...which is linked to Obesity. I encourage everyone to have blood work done, our bodies all vary so much...best to only take the supplements we need...rather than guessing.

Best of Luck!:smile2:

[hiddnstar 167]

My surgeon told me to take 2 Vitamins, calcium citrate. I have the chewable vit. but wondered if the Calcium has to also be chewable? I can get it at GNC but it's not chewable cal citrate. He didn't mention taking anything else

I love Indulgence calcium. It is chocolate and I take one twice a day. I really look forward to it and NEVER forget because it's so yummy!

hiddn:wink2:

[Southern Leo 0]

I go see him next week, I imagine he will check that once in a while....he does that. He worries for me about checking anything! I want to make sure I take what I need. Thanks!

[NYYnNYGFAN 0]

I was just banded this week so I'm not having problems taking any of my supplements & prescription meds right now. My fear is the Omega 3 supplements after my 1st fill...they are huge! I HATE the taste so I rather not chew or take a liquid...yuck! Any suggestions?

[Melissannde 41]

flax seed has omega-3's.. not sure how much you'd need to use to get the equivalent of the supplement. You DO need to grind flax seed (coffee grinder works great for this) and use it within 15 minutes of the grinding for the maximum benefit. I like it added to things like yogurt, cottage cheese.. etc. Cold pressed flax seed oil is also usable, but it's messy. I'd prefer the seeds.

[L12 13]

I take a Multivitamin and a Calcium supplement. My band doctor had suggested taking Biotin too, which I did for over a year. The emergency room doctor told me to STOP taking biotin when I showed up there for kidney stones.