Vitamins

sarahh1828 · February 13, 2011

Has anyone heard of the Bariatric Fusion chewable Multivitamins? I'm looking for an inexpensive Vitamin that will be ok for after surgery.

I'm also thinking that if I get this kind, then would I need anything else?

Here's the nutritional link:http://www.bariatricchoice.com/bariatric-fusion-gastric-bypass-vitamins-supplements.html

Tiffykins · February 13, 2011

Unfortunately, these Vitamins are lacking in Vitamin A, E, B, K, and do not have enough Iron in them, the numbers are close, but still lacking in some areas. They're also lacking in the copper, selenium, zinc. You will still need to take a sublingual B12 tablet because the stomach portion that is removed is what is responsible for the intrinsic factor that helps B12 breakdown and be absorbed properly. You can pick up b12 sublingual for $5.00 at most retail pharmacies. I get mine at Walmart, and it's a 60 or 90 day supply.

The Calcium in this Vitamin is useless because 1) it's carbonate 2) Iron inhibits the absorption of Calcium so even though it's on the label, it won't be absorbed properly. You need calcium citrate my recommended dose during my losing stage was 1200-1500mg per day, now I am down to taking 1000 mg of calcium citrate per day.

Vitamins and Minerals: (% Daily Value/Per Serving*)

Vitamin A 1875IU (37%),

Vitamin C 45mg (75%),

Vitamin D 500IU (125%),

Vitamin E 7.5IU (25%),

Thiamine 3mg (200%),

Riboflavin 425mcg (25%),

Niacin 5mg (25%),

Vitamin B6 500mcg (25%),

Folic Acid 200mcg (50%),

Vitamin B12 140mcg (2333%),

Biotin 150mcg (50%),

Pantothenic Acid 2.5mg (25%),

Calcium 300mg (30%),

Iron 7.5mg (42%),

Iodine 37.5mcg (25%),

Magnesium 100mg (25%),

Zinc** 7.5mg (50%),

Selenium** 17.5mcg (25%),

Copper** 0.5mg (25%),

Manganese** 0.5mg (25%),

Chromium** 30mcg (25%),

Molybdenum** 18.75mcg

This is the multi vitamin I take, it's by Celebrate. They're 20 bucks for a 30 day supply. I also take their chewable Calcium Citrate 500 plus, and the calcium is also $20 for a 30 day supply which gives me additional Vit D and Magnesium..

I'm not trying to sell you what I choose to take, I just wanted to post what values my multi gives me. I wouldn't take a vitamin that has a mix of calcium carbonate and citrate along with Iron. There is no way for the Calcium to be absorbed because of the iron, and carbonate doesn't work for us so it's wasteful and useless.

sarahh1828 · February 13, 2011

Is the Multivitamin you take chewable? Or can we swallow pills post op? I've heard different things from everyone who has come to talk to us, so I'm just a little confused.

Tiffykins · February 14, 2011

Is the multivitamin you take chewable? Or can we swallow pills post op? I've heard different things from everyone who has come to talk to us, so I'm just a little confused.

I use chewables not for any other reason than I like them. I can swallow horse pills and have been able to do so without issues since about 5-6 weeks post-op. I just like chewables so I stick with them. Some surgeons have restrictions on swallowing pills immediately post-op.

The reason I went to the Celebrate brand is because I can knock out all my Vitamin requirements with just 4 chewables. 2 multis and 2 calcium citrate.

With all the other Calcium supplements, I was having to take 6-8 pills per day on top of 2 multis. That was just a pain in the as$ so I switched over to Celebrate chewables, and calcium citrate.< /p>

You can order samples from them for free to see if you like them.

http://www.celebratevitamins.com/component/chronocontact/?chronoformname=sample

In the comments, fill in that you've had VSG, and need samples. I personally use the Multi complete because it has Iron in it, and calcium citrate I use is Calcium citrate plus 500.

You can't take Iron and calcium within 2 hours of each other.

AMG · February 21, 2011

Tiff -- I noticed that the Multi-complete has 350 micrograms of B12. My surgeon recommends anywhere between 350-500 micrograms a day. So, does this eliminate the need to take sublingual B12 tablets?

Also, the recomended surving for the Multi-complete is 2 tablets. Can I take both tablets at the same time?

Thanks AMG

Tiffykins · February 22, 2011

Tiff -- I noticed that the Multi-complete has 350 micrograms of B12. My surgeon recommends anywhere between 350-500 micrograms a day. So, does this eliminate the need to take sublingual B12 tablets?

Also, the recomended surving for the Multi-complete is 2 tablets. Can I take both tablets at the same time?

Thanks AMG

The part of the stomach that is removed is responsible for the intrinsic factor which makes B12 absorbable by the intestines. Unfortunately, if we chew up/swallow the B12, it's not going to get absorbed properly. We might get some of it, but not all of it. I take 2500mcg of sublingual b12 3-4 times a week. My levels were double the High normal when I was having one every day, so I dropped down to 3-4 per week and now my levels are in the mid high normal range.

I never take both at the same time. I take my Calcium in the am, and then one around late morning (2-5 hours later), and then I take one multi in the late afternoon and another after dinner. We can't take the multi within 2 hours of taking the calcium because Iron impedes the absorption of calcium citrate.

The directions on the bottle recommend to take them separately.