I recently had some inquires about vitamins after weight loss surgery.  The question was - Do you have to take vitamins after surgery?

...Yes, if you have had gastric bypass or any other procedure that bypass or alters your natural digestive system you must, MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST, take vitamins. It is not an option. You MUST.

Was I clear on that...

Vitamin deficiencies are life threatening...but it's an easy fix...your doctor will tell you based on blood work which you need to take each year. 

Lap Band is different because it does not alter your digestive tract...but with that said, it is possible that even though your digestive tract is still in tact, you could have deficiencies. It is important to follow your surgeon's recommendations. 

There are some vitamins that can not be taken together such as calcium and iron. Take some in the morning and some in the afternoon.

There are calciums that absorb better than others.

Your surgeon will most likely start you on:

• a multi-vitamin with / or additional iron (there are great multi-vitamins being offered by weight loss surgery websites, such as Build Block Vitamins, Bariatric Advantage, Unjury, Celebrate, and others which are specially formulated for bariatric needs.
• calcium citrate (citrate is better because calcium absorption needs an acid environment, which is the citrate)
• vitamin D (which absorbed with fat, (that is why they add it to milk, but I take the liquid and drop a few drops on my toast)
• vitamin B12 or B complex (B 12 can be given in shot form or under the tongue in pill form that dissolves or liquid, B complex can also be found in pill form or liquid)
• just after surgery, some people find it helpful to take Biotin, which is a B vitamin, which is thought to help with hair loss, biotin also helps boost metabolism...I'll go for that!) 
• there may be others that you need to take, which is why going in for follow-ups each year is very important.  Each year new discoveries are being made to improved health of weight loss surgery patients.
• along with protein supplements

NOT taking vitamins could lead to serious medical complications...
but after you get the hang of it, it will become routine. It's really not as difficult as it may sound.

You'll find out more on the blog...search for entry post under "search" on the left!

Yes we can, we have many more miles to go.