Many people undergo bariatric surgery to help them improve their health, but keeping a stable weight is just one part of their lifelong journey. Bariatric surgery limits how much you can eat and sometimes also changes how many calories and nutrients can be absorbed and used by your body.
Will you need to take post bariatric surgery vitamins? Yes. Most patients must take vitamin supplements for the rest of their lives after having bariatric surgery. Taking the right combination of vitamins after bariatric surgery can help prevent nutritional deficiencies, so your body will function the way it should.
Why Vitamins Matter After Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery reduces the capacity of your stomach and forces portion control, only allowing you to eat very small portions at each meal. Additionally, some forms of bariatric surgery also make changes to your digestive system that prevent your body from absorbing and using all the vitamins and nutrients from the food you are able to eat.
This can help you lose a significant amount of weight, but it can also make it much harder to get the amount of vitamins and minerals your body requires from just the food you eat. Vitamins like B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D are especially important as they are essential to your health and are important for energy, bone health, nerve function, and making new red blood cells.
After bariatric surgery, vitamins that you may be short on can be identified using blood work and then replaced using supplements. Your surgeon, dietitian, and bariatric care team may work together to choose the supplements that would best fill your nutritional gaps based on the type of bariatric surgery you had and the results of your lab work.
Which Vitamins Are Usually Recommended After Bariatric Surgery?
Many patients are advised to take a combination of vitamins after bariatric surgery, and the exact combination that will be right for you may depend upon:
- The type of bariatric surgery you had.
- Your lab results.
- Age
- Gender
- Dietary habits
- Medical history
According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), some of the most common post-bariatric surgery vitamins include:
- A good-quality bariatric multivitamin
- Calcium citrate with vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Vitamin D
Sometimes additional nutrients are needed if your bloodwork shows deficiencies, like
- Thiamine (vitamin B1)
- Folate
- Zinc
- Copper
- Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Many people ask, “What are the best vitamins to take after bariatric surgery?” There is no “best” vitamin because everyone’s nutritional needs can be different. The “best” vitamins after bariatric surgery will be the ones that your bariatric team recommends specifically for you after reviewing your lab work and medical history and ones that will keep your nutrition levels steady.
Why Specific Bariatric Vitamins Are Often Recommended
Most multivitamins that can be purchased from your local grocery or drug store are designed for use by people who have not had bariatric surgery. They most likely do not contain the levels of nutrients they need, and not everyone has the same nutritional gaps after bariatric surgery.
It is important that you do not try to choose your own supplements without guidance from your bariatric team. Normally, your specific supplements and dosage are chosen for you based on the results of your bloodwork. There are bariatric-specific formulas that are created to meet the special nutritional requirements of patients who have undergone weight loss surgeries.
The Vitamins You Need Can Vary By Procedure
Everyone who has had a weight loss surgery or procedure will need some type of supplemental vitamins or nutrients, but they can vary by patient and by the changes that were made during their surgery.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric sleeve surgery reduces the size of your stomach, but it does not make any changes to reroute your digestive system, so your supplemental vitamin needs may be minimal.
Patients usually need:
- A bariatric multivitamin.
- Calcium citrate with vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Iron (if needed)
Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery reduces stomach size but also changes part of your digestive tract, which affects how many nutrients and vitamins your body can absorb.
Patients may need:
- A multivitamin formulated for bariatric patients
- Calcium citrate with vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Additional supplements nutrients based on gaps reported by lab results.
Duodenal Switch
Duodenal switch and other more malabsorptive weight loss surgeries prevent the absorption of significantly more nutrients than gastric bypass or gastric sleeve.
Patients often require:
- Bariatric multivitamin
- Calcium citrate with vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Other supplements based on laboratory monitoring
Patients who have undergone duodenal switch surgery usually require more frequent monitoring and testing.
How Long Do You Need Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
Most people who have bariatric surgery need to take supplemental vitamins forever. This happens because after surgery your portion sizes are smaller and your intake of nutrients is reduced, so your body can no longer get all it needs from only food.
Even if you feel healthy and your weight loss has stabilized, it is important that you continue taking the supplements recommended by your surgeon and bariatric team.
Signs You May Not Be Getting Enough Vitamins
Vitamin deficiencies usually develop gradually, but the symptoms they can cause are similar to other medical conditions. If you are seeing certain symptoms, you should make an appointment with your bariatric surgeon so they can look into the underlying cause.
Pay attention to symptoms like
- Chronic fatigue.
- Weakness or lack of energy.
- Hair shedding.
- Tingling or numbness.
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Mood changes.
- Issues remembering things or confusion.
- Aching in your bones.
- Muscle cramps or pain.
Bloodwork can identify whether or not you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs, and your supplements can be adjusted accordingly.
Tips For The Safe Use Of Post Bariatric Surgery Vitamins
To prevent nutritional deficiencies, you need to take your required supplements consistently. Here are some recommendations that can help keep your weight and health on track.
- Take your vitamins on the consistent schedule provided by your surgeon and bariatric team.
- Separate when you take your calcium and your iron. These supplements often interfere with each other’s absorption. They work best when taken at least two hours apart.
- Chewable or liquid supplements may work best during the early stages of your recovery.
- Do not stop taking your supplements after you reach your weight loss goals. To maintain a stable weight and your health, you need to continue with your recommended supplements unless otherwise advised by your care team.
- Bring all vitamins and supplements to your follow-up appointments.
- Attend your routine bloodwork appointments as scheduled.
When to Talk to Your Bariatric Team
Your ongoing health after having bariatric surgery will depend on a continuing connection with your bariatric team. They will continue to monitor your bloodwork to ensure your body has adjusted well to the changes that were made and to provide you with guidance when you are met with challenges.
Always check with your bariatric team before:
- You change anything about the vitamins you are taking.
- Add new supplements to your routine.
- Increasing your dosage of any vitamins you are taking.
- Using vitamin patches or other alternative supplement methods.
- If you are having any symptoms that could be related to a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Where Can I Find Out More About Bariatric Surgery In Atlanta?
If you are considering bariatric surgery to help you lose weight, the experienced team at the Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute (LESI) in Alpharetta offers bariatric surgery and ongoing care afterward.
The board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Brendon Curtis, will help you navigate every stage of your weight loss journey. The team at LESI also offers ongoing monitoring and education to help you avoid complications or nutritional deficiencies after your surgery.
To find out more, schedule your consultation today!
FAQs
Can I Take Gummy Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
Gummy vitamins are not recommended after bariatric surgery because many do not contain the levels of vitamins and minerals that you need after weight loss surgery. Special bariatric vitamins are normally recommended, but your bariatric care team will help determine which vitamin formulation is best for you.
Can protein shakes alone be used to replace vitamins after bariatric surgery?
No. Protein shakes only provide you with supplemental protein, but they do not replace all of the necessary vitamins and minerals needed after bariatric surgery.
How Frequently Should You Have Labs Run to Check Nutrient Levels?
Most patients need their bloodwork done at least every six months, but it may be more frequently depending on the type of bariatric surgery and the results of the lab work.
Is There a Difference in Bariatric Vitamins and Regular Vitamins?
Yes. Vitamins that are made for bariatric patients are formulated with higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals to offset the body’s ability to absorb them through the food you eat.
Can I Stop Taking Bariatric Vitamins Once I Reach My Goal Weight?
No. Achieving your goal weight is not the reason behind taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Your body needs certain nutrients to work the way it is supposed to. The supplements your care team recommends that you take are to ensure that your body gets these essential vitamins and minerals. You will need to take supplements forever, but which ones and their dosage may change over the years depending on the results of your bloodwork.
