Vitamin & Supplements

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Taking supplements is very important after bariatric surgery to maintain good health and nutrition.  Begin taking supplements as soon as possible though.  Follow your surgeon’s recommendation of when to start your supplements following surgery and what supplements and how much you should take. 

Below are common supplements taken:

Multivitamin

Typically started 1 week after surgery

Some brands for you to consider are:  

OptiSource Vitamin & Mineral Supplement Chewable Tablets, Citrus.  Available online at www.walgreens.com.

Bariatric Advantage Chewable Multivitamins, Orange Citrus or Tropical flavors. Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com.

Centrum Advanced Formula Multivitamin/Multimineral Chewable Tablets in orange.  Also available is Centrum Silver Chewable in citrus berry.  Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores. 

Bariatric Fusion Complete Chewable Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement in orange cream, mixed berry, or strawberry.  Available at www.bariatricfusion.com.

Celebrate Chewable Multivitamin in Pineapple Strawberry, Mandarin Orange, and Grape.  Available at www.celebratevitamins.com.

Flintstones Complete Multivitamin with Minerals.  Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.  Note:  adult dose is double the child dose.

Viactiv Multivitamin Chews. Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.

Calcium Citrate (1,500 mg. daily)

Typically started 1 week after surgery

Some brands for you to consider are:

Bariatric Advantage Chewy Bites with Vitamin D in chocolate, lemon, and raspberry. Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com.

Bariatric Advantage Calcium Crystals with Vitamin D in lemon Lime, unflavored, and berry. Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com.

Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Lozenges available in mint, cinnamon, wild cherry, and chocolate. Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com.

Calcet Creamy Bites in lemon cream and chocolate fudge.  Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com or www.celebratevitamins.com

B12 (Sublingual or Injection)

Typically started 1 week after surgery

Some brands for you to consider are:

Bariatric Advantage Sublingual. Available at www.bariatricadvantage.com.

Nature’s Bounty Sublingual Vitamin B12 2500 mcg.  Take 1 time weekly.  Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.

Spring Valley Sublingual B12 dots, cherry flavored, 500 mcg.  Take 5 times weekly. Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.

B-Complex Sublingual, Liquid or spray by Nature's Bounty. Available at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.

B12 Injection:  Monthly and administered by your physician.

Note: For proper absorption, sublingual (under the tongue) or injection forms of B12 should be taken.  Pills that you swallow should not be taken.

Iron ( Ferrous Fumerate (Feosol) or Ferrous Gluconate)

Typically started 1 week after surgery

Some brands for you to consider:

Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron in passion fruit or Strawberry.  Available at http://www.bariatricadvantage.com/.

Slo-Fe or Feosol – May be better tolerated if having difficulty with nausea. Available over-the-counter at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores

Note:  Iron supplement may be needed if it isn't in your multivitamin. 

Biotin

Biotin is thought to be a hair growth vitamin.  Many people who have had weight loss surgery take it in an effort to limit hair loss which is so common following rapid weight loss.  Biotin is good for your hair, skin and nails.  It hair, it promotes healthy growth and protects against dryness. It also increases the elasticity of the hair's cortex, thus preventing breakage. Biotin can be found in beans, breads, cauliflower, egg yolks, fish, kidney, legumes, liver, meat, dairy products, nuts, oatmeal, oysters, peanut butter, poultry, and whole grains.

           Biotin can be found at most grocery stores, superstores & vitamin stores.