Guest guest Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 , I'm still pre-op too (my surgery is scheduled for 6/26/03) so I'll have to let some of the oldies-but-goodies help you. I can tell you what I know, though. A lot of people, when newly post-op (a week or so after surgery), make their protein shakes in half-servings, with water. One serving is 4-6 ounces of water with one scoop of protein powder (at least, for Champion Whey Stack), so a half-serving, and sipping slowly, would probably be do-able. There are a *lot* of different opinions about vitamins/supplements, and a lot of debate. You can do a lot of research on the subject on the internet or by joining a group like "GastricBypass-InfoCentral" on Yahoogroups. Be prepared to get 150 e-mails a day from that group, though, and sift through what is important to you. It can be overwhelming sometimes. I like to do a search in the archives on that list -- for example, if I'm researching Vitamin B12, I put in "B12" and get all the posts where someone mentioned B12. That helps. An easier method is to write to Curran (vitalady@...) and ask her what vitamins she suggests for your surgery (it will help her if you tell her where you are having your surgery and with what doctor, as vitamin regimes are different for different procedures and types - distal, medial, proximal RNY). She is part of the GastricBypass-InfoCentral list, and is very pro-vitamins and supplements. Again, there is a lot of debate about the necessity of the vitamin regime. I have come to the conclusion that I need to do as much research as I can, and do what I feel is right for me. I'm going to be asking for labs every six months for the first few years, so I can see right away if anything is whacked out, before it's too late to fix it. You will meet with a dietician/nutritionist from PB (or the hospital, I'm not exactly sure) who will go over the post-op meal plan for you. But being on this list and some others (like G.B.I.C., the previously-mentioned list) can really help give you some ideas. Again, everyone is different and it is totally individual. Some people can eat chicken, some can't. You'll have to see what works for you. I plan to continue protein shakes daily, perhaps even when I can handle meat. It just seems easier to digest, as the kind of use is predigested protein, and we are able to absorb most of it. Regarding the hair loss thing, there is (again) a lot of discussion concerning its cause. Anesthesia, trauma from surgery, lack of nutrients, lack of essential fatty acids, stress, dehydration...you name it. Even the doctors don't know for sure. *Most* people will lose some hair, usually beginning about month 3 and continuing for 3 or 4 additional months. Some lose significant amounts, but most of us at least lose some. I know someone who wears a wig because of hair loss, and another who hardly notices it. Certainly having adequate protein plays a part in it all. There are some people who swear by supplements, and others who swear by a shampoo/conditioning regime called Nioxin. One thing to keep in mind is that, if your nutrition and vitamins are good, it is only a temporary situation and will grow back. I'm sure you'll hear from some of the post-ops, and they'll have some great information. I've learned a lot being on this list!!! Hope this helps, Laurie W. Re: Protein powders? Hi Laurie!!I am curious I know a "serving" is going to be probably more than Icould drink at one time right? So how do you drink the whole thing? Doyou slowly sip at it for a while? I am also curious as to how we getall of our needed vitamins and nutrients. I know we take supplemnets,but is that enough? Is this why our hair falls out? Another question Ihave is what does one post-op eat through out a whole day? I have beenlooking when I am shopping at the high protein meats and things butthere's the chance I wont be able to handles meats. LOL. I guess I amjust curious how it is going to be like after. My time is coming soonso I am getting very very anxious as I'm sure everyone does. Thanksfor taking the time to answer my questions.*HUGS & WISHES* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 What is the difference between calcium and calcium citrate? Are they the same or different? Is 2000 mg of calcium the equivalent to calcium citrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 What is the difference between calcium and calcium citrate? Are they the same or different? Is 2000 mg of calcium the equivalent to calcium citrate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 The difference between the two is that the calcium citrate dissolves quicker and it doesn't need stomach acid to dissolve. The Calcium carbonate needs the stomach acid to dissolve. We need to take the calcium citrate for that reason. Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2003 Report Share Posted June 5, 2003 The difference between the two is that the calcium citrate dissolves quicker and it doesn't need stomach acid to dissolve. The Calcium carbonate needs the stomach acid to dissolve. We need to take the calcium citrate for that reason. Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 Here is some info on Caltrate: Supplement Facts Serving Size 1 Tablet Amount Per Serving Calcium 600 mg % Daily Value 60% INGREDIENTS: Calcium Carbonate, Starch. Contains less than 2% of the following: Croscarmellose Sodium, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide. May contain less than 2% of the following: Glycerin, Methylcellulose, Polydextrose. It is made with calcium carbonate so it isn't something we can use after surgery. We want the either the Citrical or the Calcium Citrate sold at Trader Joe's. I prefer the one sold at Trader Joe's because I don't have to cut it in half. I take 7 a day. After surgery my throat because sore from the intubation so when I cut the pills in half they would get stuck I couldn't even do them in quarters. The ones at Trader Joe's are smaller and don't need to be cut. Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Ramona, thank you very much for answering the calcium question. It sure makes sence when it is explained. Off to Trader Joes I go. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Ramona the calcium citrate you buy at Trader Joes, what brand is it? It saves time knowing off the bat what you're going in for and not looking all over the place at other brands. Thanks again sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Sissy, It is Just called Calcium Citrate. I also got my Mega vitamins there. They are just called that too. Those for some reason I don't have any problem swallowing them broken in half. Ramona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 Ramona, thanks for the info again! You're great for answering so quick I sure appreciate it. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 Ramona, thanks for the info again! You're great for answering so quick I sure appreciate it. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2003 Report Share Posted June 8, 2003 Elaina thanks, I'll go to vitalady and check it out. The less pills one takes the better as long as they are the right amount and small enough. Sissy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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