Where to find reasonably priced vitamins for RNY patients?

Hi All,

The dietician at my surgeon's office gave me a somewhat lengthy list of vitamins that I will need to take since I'm having RNY surgery. I was just wondering if anyone else has been advised to do the same, and if so, if there are any particular places that you recommend to buy reasonably priced vitamins. Any suggestions/recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks.

Lisa

Walmart.... I got my B12,  mvi, and calcium all under 12.00... May sound like a lot but it can all be affordable....

You'll have to read labels carefully on your supplements.  Prices will vary, and the cheapest is not always optimum for post ops.  Supplements are not inexpensive, but a necessary part of post op life.  I purchase several of my supplements online from a variety of sources. Vitalady is a good source for several items, and I get my dry D3 and calcium citrate capsules from her.  Read labels--some calcium says calcium citrate, but reading the labels may show a blend of citrate and caronate forms of calcium--not what you want.  Vitamin D on the label will not typically be D3.  Look for specific D3 on the label, and DO NOT buy and less costly D3 in oil filled softgels--you won't absorb them well.  I had severe bruising issues, so I take 3 vitamin K supplements daily.  Some patients have the perception that post op life will be less expensive, as you'll eat less foods. Not true. You have to eat a higher quality diet, and supplements are not free.  DAVE

Trader Joes, WalMart and Costco; be sure to compare prices which you may be able to do online. You can get 1000mcg of sublingual B12 from Trader Joes for $5.99 for 100 tabs.

Multi-Vitamin
Chewable Centrum @ Walmart == $10 for 30 day supply

Calcium
Citrical (or store brand) @ Walmart == $10 for 30+ day supply

B12 
Sublingual @ Walmart == $5 for 60 day supply

Iron
Feosel @Walmart == $12 for 45 day supply (or half that price on Amazon.com)

B-50 Complex
Capsules @ GNC == $6 for 60 day supply

I use Centrum with Iron - I buy it anywhere that it's on sale and then buy as many as I can before they'll expire.  I check out stores going out of business and often find them.  Walgreens often does buy one great one free sales.

I buy the b12 sublingual and use it occasionally.  My doc said I don't need it after labs.  I get it at Vitamin Shoppe.

My calcium is not cheap.  I buy the bariatric advantage chews.  They're expensive but I like them.  If I couldn't afford it, I would probably do like my vitamins and look for generic ones.

I got the citrical with vitamin d (actually hubby did) from walmart...but it says it has carbonate in it...is there a different citrical with out the carbonate?

 Are you certain that the brand name is Citracal? Double check your bottle to make sure. Citracal IS calcium citrate. There are other brand names (Caltrate) that are calcium carbonate and they usually live next to each other on the store shelf. This is the bottle you're looking for (either Citracal Petites or Citracal Regular):

Walgreens usually has a lot of their vitamins buy one get one free. I stock up as I see them on sale. The only exception is calcium, which I buy at Sams. You can get 500 for about $8.

Walmart or drugstore.com.

Kelly