Vitamins and Minerals

After Bariatric surgery your calorie intake will be lowered due to the size of your pouch. Also due to the fact that most of your stomach and the first part of the small intestine are bypassed, you will not absorb certain vitamins and minerals.

You will have to take supplemental vitamins and minerals for the rest of your life. If you do not take your vitamins and minerals you run the risk of developing anemia and other deficiencies

To avoid vitamins and minerals deficiencies we suggest the following:

  1. 2 chewable multiple vitamins per day (make sure that they contain iron).  If you are post menopausal you will need to speak to the dietian.
  2. 1, 200 1,500 of chewable calcium citrate.
  3. Vitamin B6 50mg every day.
  4. Vitamin B12 400mug one time per week.

Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 deficiency is also a concern. vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the stomach lining. After Bariatric surgery most of the stomach is bypassed therefore Vitamin B-12 cannot be absorbed. You will require a Vitamin B-12 supplement for the rest of your life. Supplemental Vitamin B12 can be taken orally (sublingually) or monthly injection.  Dr. Allam will arrange for blood test in order to monitor your blood level of Vitamin B-12 as well as certain minerals.