Vitamins & Minerals

The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommends that all bariatric surgery patients take a bariatric-formulated multivitamin daily.

Please speak with your bariatric provider about returning to other pre-operative supplements after surgery. If you have questions or concerns regarding vitamin and mineral supplementation, please speak with one of our registered dietitians or your bariatric surgeon.

Remember: All pill and capsule forms of supplements and medications must be smaller than a Skittle for the first 30 days post-operation. If larger in size, discuss with your bariatric surgeon.

B-Complex

Start the day you return home from the hospital.  Please ensure your B-complex contains at least 12 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1).B-complex vitamins must be chewable, liquid or a pill/capsule that is smaller than a Skittle.

The B-Complex vitamin is optional after starting the bariatric multivitamin.

Calcium

Calcium should be started 2-4 weeks post-surgery when instructed by a surgeon or registered dietitian.  

Take calcium supplements at least two hours before or two hours after iron supplements and multivitamins containing iron. Calcium supplements should be spaced throughout the day for increased absorption.

Calcium citrate and calcium carbonate are the preferred sources of calcium after surgery. If you have a history of kidney stones, calcium citrate is the preferred source of calcium.

Daily calcium needs:

• 1200-1500 mg (lap band, sleeve, gastric bypass)
• 1800-2400 mg (duodenal switch)

Elemental Iron

Additional iron may be recommended for menstruating women and patients who have a history of iron deficiency anemia. Consult your registered dietitian or bariatric surgeon for more information.

Multivitamin

A multivitamin should be started 2-4 weeks post-surgery when instructed by a surgeon or registered dietician.  We recommend a bariatric formulated multivitamin that contains iron.

Elemental Iron

Most bariatric multivitamins contain iron. Additional iron is recommended for menstruating women and patients who have a history of iron deficiency anemia. Consult your registered dietitian or bariatric provider for more information.

The multivitamin should be taken without food for increased absorption.

Nutrition and Bariatric Surgery

We have guidelines, recipes, and valuable information to help you make the right nutritional choices both before and after surgery. Check out our Bariatric Vitamin & Minerals Fact Sheet.