Vitamin supplements after bariatric surgery are an important post-op consideration. It is critical that you follow our guidelines in terms of recommended vitamins as well as post-op labwork to reduce the risk of vitamin or micronutrient deficiencies! We recommend only pharmaceutical-grade vitamins for our patients. Check our eStore for all your vitamin needs!

DO NOT START ANY VITAMINS UNTIL DISCUSSING WITH OUR TEAM AT YOUR FIRST POST-OP VISIT!

Vitamin Supplementation for Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve, SIPS/SADI, and Gastric Band

Vitamins & minerals start one month after surgery. The exception is sublingual vitamin B12 which starts one week after surgery. Your dietitian will discuss with you which vitamins & minerals you will need to take.

The following are required to be taken after your surgery:

1 week post surgery:
- At 1 week out you will begin taking Sublingual B-12 (1,000 mcg) daily until your 1 month visit.

B12 (2)

1 month post surgery
- Begin chewable multivitamin
- Iron (ferrous fumarate-18mg/d),
- Vitamin D3 (15,000 IU/weekly)
- Calcium Citrate (1000 mg/d, ONLY take 500 mg at one time to increase absorption)
- Decrease sublingual B12 to 1,000 mcg/week.

Chewable Ultra Solo Multivitamin

Our pharmaceutical-grade Ultra Solo chewable multivitamin in our vitamin kits also has all the iron and vitamin D3 you need built in!

Vitamin Starter Kits

Vitamins are not tolerated on an empty stomach. Always take your vitamins later in the day. Best time to take your multivitamin is after lunch or dinner.

After 3 months you may begin taking capsule supplements based on your tolerance.

B-12 must remain sublingual or injectable long-term. Oral tablets will not be absorbed.

Vitamin Tips and Information:

The form of iron that you need to take 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 form of calcium you should choose 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: