Calcium citrate

Wellesse doesn't have liquid calcium citrate.  They have a combination of calcium citrate and tricalcium phosphate - RNY folks can't absorb the tricalcium phosphate. 

One tablespoon contains 500 mg total calcium, but only 70% of that is calcium citrate, according to the manufacturer.  So you will get 350 mg in one tablespoon.  If you take that twice a day, you're only getting 700 mg calcium citrate.  The ASMBS says we need 1500 to 2000 mg daily, more than twice what you're taking.

Why does your doctor think you only need 700 mg calcium a day?

Actually the Wellesse I Purchase has one tablespoon equals 1000 mg total. Even just double checked the label. At this point we'll see how my blood work does when do and I will keep an eye on it. Thanks for your input. 

I don't know anything about the current Wellesse formulation, but wanted to make sure you know that your blood work won't tell you if you are getting enough calcium (unless you are SERIOUSLY deficient) because your body will take what it needs from your bones in order to keep your serum levels adequate.  You will only know that you have not been getting enough when a bone scan comes back showing a problem (and by then, of course, the damage has already been done).  If you have not already had a baseline bone scan, ask your doctor to schedule one.

Lora

Hmm.  Do they make more than one calcium product?  I just checked their website and I only see one, and it says the serving size is two tablespoons and that one serving is 1000 mg.  That would mean one tablespoon is only 500 mg.

However, the manufacturer also says that it contains only 70% calcium citrate.  We can't absorb the tricalcium phosphate, so a serving that has 1000 mg total will only provide 700 mg that you can absorb.

Your blood work will not tell you if you're getting enough calcium.  You won't know that until you get a bone density scan.  However, if your bone density scan shows bone loss, meaning you're not getting enough calcium, then damage has already been done.

Why take that chance?  Why not just take the recommended amount of calcium citrate to start with?  What's the downside to taking the recommend amount?

I stand corrected. I looked too quick on my way to work this morning. You are correct about the amount, I was looking at servings as Tablespoons. The sheet my clinic gave me for suggestions for Calcium Citrate suggests 500-600mg twice a day. I will have to look into why they suggest lower than the ASMBS 1500-2000mg. Thanks for pointing it out. Still a newby at this, only 2 months out from surgery.

I think the way supplements are labeled is often confusing.

Here's a link to the ASMBS guidelines, if you want to take a look before you discuss it with your doctor  http://nutrition.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/file/0005/4784/Ba riatricNutritionReading.pdf

i use Calcet Citrate creamy chews from www.bariatricchoice.com. box 30 for $12.99. they are so awesome. they have lemon cream and chocolate fudge.  when you order online and enter referral code: 7129892 you will receive $10 on your next order and earn $ on your current order. i could not stand the wafers they tasted like drywall and the pills i had to cut into 3 and 4 pieces just to swallow them. these have 500mg of calcium citrate, and 400 IU of vitamin D3. i chew 2 a day.

Ellen