Question for Gala and anyone else in the know.

Gala, I have a question for you. When you and your DH were newly postop you made the comment that your DH's doctor told him that Tums was an OK source of calcium. This went against everything I've been taught. Your DH said that he was going to do the tums thing because that's what his doctor said. My question to you is - now that your DH is many months post op, how have his labs come back? Are his calcium levels ok with taking the tums? I'd really like to know because I would love to change from the Citrical Plus to the tums. Thanks Gala. Melody

Good Morning Melody, Yes James' doc. says he can take Tums. My doc is adamently against it. Personally it is the difference in programs. Mine is much more regimented and has a better support - w/nutrition follow ups every 3 months vs his...he has had none and struggling a great deal. With that being said - We "think" his labs are coming back okay. He hasn't been notified otherwise. Where as my PCP does all my labs and then sends them to my surgeon. I am not very good about taking my vitamins. I have taken tums occasionally. I drink a min. of 2 glasss of milk per day w/either just milk or as a protein shake w/powder. I also eat cheese and get my calcium that way. My calcium is perfect. So...I'm not saying do what I do (which is no calcium only threw food) but if you think you can give it a try then do it. Good Luck, Gala

Thanks Gala. I think that maybe I'll give the tums a try. I eat a lot of cheese and try to drink a 12 oz glass of Carb Countdown milk a day. Those Citralcal Plus tabs are so darn big. Sometimes I chew them but they're not pleasant. Have a good day. Thanks for responding so quickly. Melody

A lurker comes out of the shadows.... Hi I'm Laurie in So Calif and I had the Duodenal Switch in Nov 2004. Oh yeah, and I'm LDS. Quick intro: BIC, Pioneer ancestry and such - most everyone in my family lives in UT, I'm the rebel, being born and raised here in So Calif. I've spent much of my life feeling woefully inadequate as a member of the church... Mom was very ill and married a non-member - Dad was a kind, honest, wonderful man but ill-equipped to help me when it came to "church stuff". I always got sent to church as a child, and I've spent half my adult life teetering between activity and being less active. I'm not one who can quote scripture on a minutes notice and feel it is a fate worse than death to get up and speak/give prayer, etc. I'm most certainly not the perfect Mormon but for some strange reason, my husband seems to think I am. Anyway, I mostly lurk, but I couldn't resist answering this one. My 3 months labs came back with high PTH, so my surgeons nutritionist INSISTED that I up my Calcium and that it be Calcium CITRATE. I asked her why some patients can take tums and she stated that we are all individuals and some do just fine with Calcium Carbonate (tums, etc.) and others must have the Citrate. I hate the huge pills and have found a liquid form of Citrate with magnesium and D, both of which aid in Calcium absorption. Bone loss is a real concern for post ops, whether you've had the DS or RNY. We also have bone in our jaw and bone loss can lead to dental problems, too. This is nothing to mess with. Laurie in So Calif. DS 11/30/04 Dr. Anthone in Omaha 269/209

Laurie I'm so glad that you have chosen to make yourself known. Everyone has something they can add and you've definately proven that you have more knowledge about this particular situation than I have. Thank you for your post. Where do you get the liquid form of the Citrate with magnesium and D and how awful does it taste? For awhile I chewed the Citrical Plus tabs but it was like chewing egg shells. I'd be interested in the liquid form if it was easily tolerated taste wise. Welcome to the board and thanks for your input Laurie. Melody

Melody, We have a store here in So Calif called Henry's Marketplace, owned by the Wild Oats chain. They sell vitamins, veggies, organic-type stuff. They sell the liquid Calcium Citrate via two brands: Lifetime and BlueBonnet. I believe you may be able to purchase these on the internet. You may wish to do a Google search. They come in citrus flavors as well as Blueberry (my favorite), Strawberry, etc. Each dose is one half ounce, or approx one measuring Tablespoon. Calcium Citrate - 600mg, Magnesium - 300mg. and Vitamin D 400 I.U. The flavor is kind of chalky - not horrible, but then again not the best, either. I've found the best way to bypass the ole taste buds (and measure at the same time) is to use those tiny little Tupperware 2 oz. midgets containers. They have measurement markings on the side and just like you see people in movies downing the contents of a shot glass.... well just like that and its down. Actually easier than chewing those huge wafers or gagging on giant pills. Unfortunately, I'm one of those that MUST take Calcium CITRATE. I figure it's a small price to pay for getting my health back. Laurie in So Calif.

Thanks Laurie, I'll store that information. I go to my surgeon for my 1 year check on April 27th (my surgery was March 8th), I'm sure he'll check my labs then so I'll know more where I stand. Thanks for the information. BTW - I grew up in Southern California. I was born in Needles. I was a Navy brat and went to lots of different military bases all in So. Cal. My father retired and my parents moved me to Idaho when I was 17 years old. Talk about culture shock! My DH is a native Idahoan. I've lived here since 1978. Idaho is now home. I absolutely LOVE Idaho and have no interest in returning to So. Cal except to visit. Have a good rest of the week. Melody

Hi Melody - I am looking into WLS here in Utah. Where was your procedure and how has it gone. You seem very upbeat. I live in Payson now but am from Long Beach, CA. Members of the Church since 1993. This is a neat group - just found it. Thanks! DeAnne

Melody, My Dr. at the Batrix center also told me to do the tums thing too. I take two in the morning and two in the evening. I buy the costco ones much $$$$ cheaper. My labs have be great too except for that b12 and I take the sublinguel one. Saralan

Saralan - what a wonderful new picture! You look great! Thanks for the information. Melody