Vitamin Tips and Information: 

• The optimal form of iron for surgical weight loss patients is either Ferrous Fumarate or Ferrous Gluconate.  Ferrous Sulfate is the most commonly prescribed form of iron, but it not well absorbed after your surgery.  It is also recommended that you avoid taking iron supplements at the same time as consuming coffee, tea, or antacids.   
• If you are ever required to take Vitamin D, you want to make sure it’s Vitamin D3. 
• The preferred form of calcium is calcium citrate. This is due to the lack of stomach acid being produced by your new pouch.  Calcium carbonate is the most common form found, but it is not absorbed well because it does require a larger amount of stomach acid to be absorbed.  Calcium and iron need to be spaced 2 hours apart.  They actually compete for the same absorption sites and can interfere with each other’s absorption. 

Products to Avoid: 

• Centrum
• One-A-Day
• Flintstones
• Generic store brands
• “Gummy” type vitamins