Hi Everybody,

Just wanted to find out if there's any advantage over taking chewable vitamins as opposed to swallowing pills. Right now, all my vitamins are chewable (except biotin), but I'm almost four months post-op and my nutritionist said I can switch my calcium to Citracal Calcium Petites. She wants me to stick with the chewable multis and iron pills for now.

Somehow, this posted before I finished...

Also, is there any advantage of taking vitamins specially formulated for bariatric patients, such as Bariatric Advantage or Building Blocks (which is what my WLS center sells)? These brands are a bit pricey. --Kathy

My pharmacist told me that anything we do to increase the surface area (chewing, breaking) will improve absorption. I'm getting some of my vitamins/ supplements from bariatric advantage for this very reason.

Jeanie, your pharmacist is one smart man!!

I take all chewable vitamins...because I cant swallow pills very well. <couldnt before surgery either> I buy mine from Bariatric Advantage too...and they are pricey, but since I started taking those rather than others I had been on previously, it feels as though I have more energy...though that could simply be because I actually TAKE them now!

Wish I could be of more help...maybe someone else knows a place where they have chewables that isnt as pricey?

I also use Bariatric Advantage. I've stuck with them all these years because my labs are always good.

i used to order mine from vista vitamins (specially formulated and made for gastric bypass pts) they were a capsule to swollow or had chewable, the capsule was supposably special for better absorption, but they were kinda pricy, so i just started taking chewable multi vitamins and chewable calcium, that i buy at the store. i have no trouble swallowing pills and i prefer that, but i found with those i must not absorb very well, because after a few days of swallow pills i can feel the difference...tired , low energy, etc. with chewables i don't have that problem. i felt fine on the vista vitamins, even the capsules you had to swallow, i think the bariatric vitamins are specially made for us. but like i said i do regular chewables and do fine and my labs have always been normal.

I was just researching all of this nonsense last month. From what I was reading, the swallow type mulit-vitamins are only as good as they are capable of breaking down. So in a regular tummy, there are lots more gastric juices to disolve the tablet...and still...in some cases, the tablets don't break down entirely (they were saying that quality had lots to do with this). So, it makes sense that we WLS patients take a chewable or liquid. I tried two different liquid multi-vitamins and had lots of issues with the taste. It wasn't terribly convenient either. I've recently switched over to the chewable multi from Trader Joe's. I eat good food and have a protein shake (which is loaded with vitamins) daily. I'm thinking that I'm covered! I also take a chewable calcium citrate. In my opinion...chewables are the way to go.

Now, if I could just find that magical "drop 20 pounds" pill, I'd be set!

I'm pretty much with everyone else on this topic. I use a Centrum chewable vitamin that includes iron. I use Tropical Oasis liquid calcium that is the easiest for me when I am at home. I keep it in the refrigerator, it has a very nice orange taste, and a 1/2 dose (insert small swig from the bottle) is 500mg. So for me, I take 4 swigs a day which is very easy to do. When I'm gone from home, I use the Citracal petites, but I try and crush them as much as possible before swallowing. I don't care for the taste of those......The Dr. told me that crushing improves absorption, and liquid with food is the best......

PS - I posted several weeks ago about Tropical Oasis which was on sale. If I recall, Mickeefyn bought some, so maybe she'll give you her take on this product........

kim i want that same pill, and if i find it i'll let you know