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:
Vitamins
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.
Protein Supplements
Profect protein bullets are available directly from the manufacturer at www.protica.com, and from www.amazon.com, as well as Bariatric Advantage.
Popular protein drinks: Nu-Whey protein shots and other protein powders are available at Costco; www.Walmart.com has various protein powders and protein shots; www.GNC.com carries Jay Robb protein powders, also available at www.JayRobb.com. Henry's and Fred Meyers stores also carry Jay Robb's products as well. NOTE that stock varies in different store locations!
Flavorless powdered protein is available from www.BariatricAdvantage.com and 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.
www.Unjury.com is a popular company that carries protein powders that fit the criteria. They have fruit flavors as well as chicken soup and unflavored powders.
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.
