Vitamins and Protein Supplements
Where to Buy
Many patients prefer the convenience of one-stop shopping, where you can obtain all necessary vitamins in one simple order. Two resources for all vitamins are www.celebratevitamins.com and www.bariatricadvantage.com. Please note that I do NOT recommend either the Matrix protein drink from Bariatric Advantage, OR the Chike protein supplement from Celebrate. The carbohydrate content in both of these drinks exceeds the maximum recommended amount in the Toolkits for both the band and bypass patients.
If you prefer to purchase vitamins from other retailers, they are available at various health food and vitamin stores. Resources for the ones that are most popular amongst my patients or are difficult to find are listed below:
Calcium Citrate Powder is available in a tasteless form, for mixing in water, herbal tea or protein drinks. Look on www.NOWfoods.com or www.frontiercoop.com for their Calcium Citrate powder.
Liquid Calcium (Magnesium) Citrate is available in many specialty food shops, such as Henry's - look for "Lifetime" brand. It comes in many flavors, but many patients report that the blueberry is the best.
Tropical Oasis brand liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate is available through Bariatric Advantage and directly from the manufacturer at www.tropicaloasis.com.
Ferrous Fumarate is available as Ferro-Sequel, available in many drugstores and pharmacies, and is also made by Freeda, available at www.freedavitamins.com.
Profect protein supplement is available directly from the manufacturer at www.protica.com, and from www.amazon.com. Similar protein supplements, generically called "bullets" are available at Fred Meyer, GNC, Wal-Mart, Costco and other drugstores and vitamin retailers.
A popular tasteless powdered protein is available from www.biProUSA.com. Many patients find that this is a good alternative if they want to put protein in their herbal tea, crystal light, or food products.
Nectar protein supplement is available from Bariatric Advantage as well as from the manufacturer at www.si03.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp. Please note that I do not recommend any of the other protein products from this site, as they tend to be directed toward body builders, but the Nectar is appropriate and popular amongst my patients.
Please remember to always take your vitamins and protein supplements in a timely manner and ensure that all of your supplements meet the guidelines outlined in your Banding Toolkit or Bypass Toolkit.
