Reminder about calcium

Are you taking the Tums for indigestion or heartburn?  Or for calcium? 

Kelly, as always, your knowledge is appreciated, and I always like your reminders.  While my surgeon specifically has me taking 6 Citricals per day, it still blows my mind how many that are STILL giving bad calcium advice!

And folks......don't think that just because your numbers look good from one blood test that you are good-you really need to track the trend over a period of time to see if you are losing ground on certain vitamins. Oh, and you need to keep your levels at the ASMBS recommended level-don't assume that just because the lab paperwork says you are in the "good" range that you are....some recommendations are different for WLS patients. My D3 was the lowest number on the lab sheet...and my doctor checked it off as okay.........well, it was REALLY low based on where a WLS patient should be...and over 3 years, it had significantly dropped.....I've been taking 5,000 iu of D3 daily for over 6 months and I'm just beginning to see improvement.....it takes a LONG time to correct some deficiencies, so it is much better to prevent them.

Plus, your blood work won't really tell you if you're getting enough calcium.  You need a bone density scan for that, which only tells you there is a problem once you've had some bone loss.

Lots of GREAT info!  Thank you!! I was really needing this type of info :) 

I finally found some Calcium Citrate at Cost****irkland brand) and it was on sale! Normally it is I think around 12.00 for two big bottles, but when I bought it I was able to get the two bottles for around 7.50 so I purchased two two-packs (hubby lectures me on making sure I keep enough back stock of my vitamins so I don't run out, his theory keep 4 bottles and when you get down to 2, purchase more). I read the label before I purchased (thank you Kelly for all the advice it has helped me read labels prior to purchasing my vitamins). This calcium citrate has 500 mg per pill, so I am taking 4 pills a day, spaced out accordingly, I have my phone set to send me  a reminder every two hours so I can take my various supplements during the day. If you are having trouble getting your vitamins in I would suggest setting a timer like I do, it really helps keep me on track.

I have a question.  I am still pre-op, but I was told to take two of what would be the equivalent of Centrum Silver each day.  That only has calcium carbonate.  What about the calcium in dairy products?  From so many dairy products during my youth, my children and I have incredibly strong bones.  Do I still need calcium citrate of some kind?

I have broken a few toes, nose and tailbone, but nothing that ever required a cast (I am 60).  My daughter was actually run over by a race car and she walked out of the hospital without a break of any kind, which simply amazed the doctor.  Should I plan on even getting calcium citrate or wait and see how my labs come back post-op.

The ASMBS says you need calcium citrate, regardless of how much calcium you get from dairy products.  You should not wait until you see a problem in your labs because labs don't show a problem with calcium until you've suffered severe bone loss.

Thank you.

My surgeon provided me with a list of acceptable calcium supplement brands/types and how many doses of each I should take a day to achieve the correct amount of dietary supplementation. I have used that list to shop for my supplements online and get the best price. When I get them, I just pack my meds/vitamins for the month in this thing and then I don't have to think about it.