Taking vitamin and mineral supplements after weight loss surgery is important for achieving an ideal level of health. Due to all of the changes made after surgery—including a decreased stomach capacity—taking supplements is highly recommended, to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Since you’re eating smaller portions after surgery, you’ll be getting fewer vitamins and minerals from your food. Healthy eating choices means taking your vitamin and mineral levels into account, and taking supplements as needed.
Common Nutritional Deficiencies
After bariatric surgery, one of the reasons you would need to take vitamin and mineral supplements is due to a deficiency. The two other common reasons are:
- To ensure that you’re getting enough of the nutrients despite eating less food.
- To prevent any deficiencies from developing because you are at a greater risk for them after surgery
Some of the most common nutritional deficiencies to look out for after bariatric surgery are:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin A
- Iron (more rare)
Even if you don’t have a particular vitamin or mineral deficiency, it’s important to be aware of your daily intake to insure that you get enough of every necessary nutrient. Dr. Taylor can perform a screening to determine your vitamin and mineral levels in order to provide you with an accurate daily dosage you would need in order to maintain optimal levels of nutrients.
Vitamins after Weight Loss Surgery
For all three weight loss surgery procedures, Dr. Taylor will advise that you take a chewable multivitamin daily. Other vitamin and mineral requirements may include:
- Biotin
- Hemaplex (for iron production)
- Super Vitamin B
Tips for Choosing Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
There is virtually no difference between “natural” and “synthetic” vitamins but be sure to follow Dr. Taylor and his support staff’s advice after your weight loss surgery. Your supplements and vitamins are an important part of keeping your post-bariatric lifestyle as healthy as possible.
Suggested Reading
The Best Foods for Protein
Quality over Quantity in the Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet
Dining Choices after Weight Loss Surgery
Also In This Section
- Quality over Quantity in the Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet
- Dining Choices after Weight Loss Surgery
- Fighting Food Cravings after Weight Loss Surgery
- At the Market after Weight Loss Surgery
- Be Happy with Your Healthy Diet after Bariatric Surgery
- Stress-Free Bariatric Dining
- Emotional Eating: Separate Feelings from Food
- Why Olympic Athletes Skip Sports Drinks
- Everybody’s Going Coconuts
- Think Smart at the Farmers Market
- Three Nutritious Whole Grain Alternatives
- Control Your Portions with 10 Simple Tricks
- Limit your Menu to Lose Weight
- Post-Bariatric Surgery Diet
- Avoid These Foods after Bariatric Surgery
- Long-Term Diet Guidelines for After Weight Loss Surgery
