Better Calcuim Citrate Source?

Hi everyone,
I'm preparing for surgery July 5th.  For the last several days I have been taking all of the vitamins, etc. that I will be required to take after surgery.  I'm taking a chewable calcium citrate tablet made by Twinlab that I get at the local Vitamin Shoppe.  I was just now reading the instructions (better late than never?) and found that the serving size I will need is 6-- count 'em, SIX-- tablets.  I can barely choke down one!  Suggestions, anyone?
Thank you!   

I do chewable Tums - they have 60% MDR for calcium and I usually get the rest from skim milk and cottage cheese. Hope this helps.

Roundater- Tums is cal carbonate, not a good source as we cannot absorb much of the carbonate form at all.. smaller stomach=less acid, plus many of us are on a PPI, further reducing the acid. You should switch to citrate at some point soon. Just thought you should know. :)

Thank you. Just going with what my doc advised plus my sister who had the surgery and takes them too.

No prob, every surgeon has their own plan and reasons for their suggested supplements.. I did just post an article below that compares the bioavailability for both in regular non-altered folks, in case you want to check it out. It may be something you want to ask them about on your follow up.

Thanks for the clarification.

FYI I took tums for a few weeks after surgery so I could chew them but then switched to calcium citrate tablets as per doctor's instructions. There are chewable forms but I used the tums as suggested by doctor until i could handle the pills.  Diane

Thanks Di. I will ask Dr. Winterstein about it when I see him Tuesday.

I take Citrical petites, they are 400 mg for 2 pills, the body can only absorb either 400 or 500 mg at a time so you have to take them three times a day.  They are very easy to swallow, have been taking them since 2 weeks post op which was when the surgeon said to start taking my supplements  :o) jeani

After surgery, I used a liquid that I got at my local health food store.  Blueberry flavored.  Not bad.  Can't remember the name, Sorry.   Still requires three doses per day since body only absorbs about 500 at a time and my surgeon (like most, I think) wants 1500 per day.

I ran out of the liquid a while ago and switched to the Citrical tablets which, from a sleeve perspective, are HUGE.  Every time I take one, it hits the sleeve like a full meal and I don't want to eat or drink for about 45 minutes.  Still 3 per day.