What type of vitamins???

Ok I am so confused.. Are Caltrate 600+ the chewables ok?? Is this the kind we are supposed to be having?? Also where can I find b-12 in a form other then pill? AND is there a B complex in licuid or chewable form anywhere??? Thanks Lisa

Caltrate 600 are calcium carbonate. They are on the new no-no list. You need to find some calcium citrate. Don't look in anythingt normal for it. You need a special pill. b 12 is available injectable. You need a prescription for that. B comples? check on one of the online vitamin stores Peter

Hey Lisa, No on the Caltrate...you need calcium citrate...I'm having a hard time with my calcium because the Twin labs chewables are HUGE and I have to take 5 a day. Too sweet and too much to chew. I'm looking into getting some "Island Oasis" liquid calcium that I've read is good as long as you keep it in the fridge. I get my b-12 (under the tongue) at Dr A's office. It's Bariatric Advantage brand and it's only 8 bucks. If you don't want a pill or sublingual, you'll have to see your doctor to get the injectable b-12, which I think is once a month. I've looked for chewable B complex, but can't find any. I did just get a tiny caplet at CVS. They have a new line of vitamins (can't recall the name of them) but they're in dark blue bottles. Hope you're well... paula

for the first four months i was going to my PCP to get my b-12 injections. he finally said i could do it myself, which was great because i could save the $20 co-pay. anyway, SO easy!!!!! i have done it for two months now and the needle is so small and you don't even feel it and i paid for a year's worth for a total of $20 - very cheap!!!!

Hi Lisa, I use Calcium Citrate at Walgreen's as they have quite often buy one and get one free. They have just plain calcium citrate, or with Vitamin D or with magnesium. My surgeon is one that does not tell you to take citrate, he said we could take Rolaids or Tums, but after having my labs done I have switched to citrate. Good Luck Lisa - smile Beth

Lisa, Just found out about this liquid B-Complex...here's the site http://www.webvitamins.com/product.aspx?id=18033&wvaid=IN&term=yahoo They also make the liquid calcium too. paula

I read a report put out by Prevention Magazine. There, they said that the body absorbs calcium in the form of Calcium citrate better than in the form of Calcium carbonate. Also, for the best absorption, you also need Vitamin D and magnesium at the same time. The report further stressed that calcium should be taken after a meal, for the best result, and (I think) to prevent gallstones or something or other. Right now they have one of those buy one, get one free sales on a particular brand of vitamins at Walgreens. I decided to get one of the chelated calcium supplements on sale, even though it was a calcium carbonate and calcium gluconate. It did include magnesium and zinc, and I hope it will be well enough absorbed. I have read that one way you can see for yourself if it is absorbed by your body, is to put the tablet in a couple ounces of vinegar (which mimics the action of stomach acids), and see if the tablet dissolves within 30 minutes. I am no expert, just learning like everyone else. Had the Lap Band surgery a few months ago, and my health is good, and vitamin levels good. Lost a decent amount of weight, and have more to go. (It is slower with the lap band surgery). I can take tablets OK, and maybe you will not be able to, so maybe all of this is not very helful. Oh well, I tried. I did start out with a chewable, after the surgery, to be safe.

The problem with the calcium carbonate is that it takes an hour to break down before being able to be absorbed. RNY patients just can't get the calcium out of them. You, as a lap band patient, would do just fine. The chelated minerals wll abdorb even easier for you, and you will do fine. Let's also remember, diatairy calcium from milk,yogurt and cheese need to be added in. Peter