Calcium Supplements

I was just rereading information from the orientation and noticed for the calcium supplements that citrate and carbonate are mentioned in the list of acceptable brands.  Which is better?  What does one do that the other doesn't?

I am not an expert, I learned here in the forum, and say you should take calcium citrate, i bought  it in tablets in the Drug store but since I'm closer to my surgery, i bought in liquid with vitamin d in costco . as the liquid really has that much power I think liquid after operation will be easier to take.

http://i2-store.walmart.ca/images/WMTCNPE/415/478/415478_Enlarged_1.jpeg

http://www.bariatricchoice.com/media/catalog/product/cache/3/image/1800x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/e/wellessecalcium16_2.jpg

citrate is a weaker compound, it requires less acid to break down to elemental calcium that body absorbs.  

the stomach postop is very small (any surgery) and doesn't have too much acid, so carbonate stays mostly intact (elemental calcium is not fully released from chemical bond) and goes straight to the toilet, while citrate breaks down releasing elemental calcium to be absorbed.

Hence calcium citrate is better absorbed and should be used post wls

Thanks for the info.  I don't even have a surgery date yet but want to start stocking up on the things I will need post-op.  I have to order some of the Opurity vitamins too.  They sound like a good choice.  Now I just have to find a liquid or chewable B12.

What brand are those?

Jamieson makes them.  I bought them at Shoppers.

I took Wellese calcium -/ liquid post op = calcium citrate  (have it at Walmart and Costco) and now I take calcium citrate tablets Webber brand 300mg/200IU vit D (4 months post op).

Multi Vit. wise I take Centrum 50+ (recommended for mineral content) chewable - they also have it at Walmart and Costco.

B12 : strips at shoppers. And my Benefiber also has a small amount of vit B in it ( small) . Some people also go for monthly injections instead of the strips - whatever you like best.

I was given the liquid calcium in hospital post-op.  Both times i was nauseated.  Just a precaution.

Judy