Download Gastric Bypass Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Gastric Bypass Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Because you will absorb nutrients differently after surgery, daily vitamin and mineral
supplementation is required FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Vitamin supplements
need to be chewable, crushable, dissolvable, or liquid so that they don’t cause a blockage
in the pouch. You will need to take several doses of vitamins each day. Your dietitian
can help you to develop a dosing schedule if you need assistance.
The following is a list of the REQUIRED vitamins and minerals:
1) Calcium Citrate: You must take at least 1500 mg of calcium citrate per day.
DO NOT TAKE PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN CALCIUM CARBONATE, such as
Viactiv, Tums, and Caltrate. These products need stomach acid to be activated, and
patients who have had gastric bypass surgery will not be able to absorb these products
very well. The following is a list of suggested chewable/liquid calcium citrate products:
Vitamin Brand
Bariatric Advantage
Calcium Citrate
Lifetime Calcium Citrate
Building Blocks
Puritan’s Pride Calcium
Citrate
Celebrate Vitamins
Amount per Tab
400 mg/tab
(4 chews per day)
750mg/1 teaspoon
(2 tsp per day)
1000mg/6 capsules
(8-9capsules/day)
200 mg/tab
(8 capsules per day)
1000mg/4 capsules
(6 capsules/day)
Availability
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Vitamin World
www.bbvitamins.com
www.Puritan.com
www.celebratevitamins.com
2) Iron: Most menstruating women and/or individuals with history of anemia will be
required to take iron. You must take 50-100 mg of iron per day. If you have problems
tolerating this, you can try a slow release formula such as Slow Fe. The following is a list
of suggested iron products:
Vitamin Brand
Bariatric Advantage Iron
FerroSequels (crushed)
Ferretts
Amount per Tab
29 mg/tab (2-3 per day)
50 mg/tab (1-2 per day)
106 mg/tab (1 per day)
Availability
BariatricAdvantage.com
Any drug store
Any drug store
3) Vitamin B12: You must take 500 mcg of vitamin B12 per day. You will take the
sublingual form (put it under the tongue to dissolve) as it is better absorbed by the body.
If the brand of Vitamin B12 you choose comes in 1000 mcg increments, take half of the
vitamin everyday, or take 1000 mcg every other day.
4) Multivitamin: You must take two daily multivitamin supplements equivalent to
Centrum, and they MUST be in the form of chewable or liquid (examples – Flintstones or
Centrum chewable gummies).
Vitamin Tips:
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You should begin taking these vitamins and minerals when you start your pureed
diet.
To avoid nausea, do not take vitamins and minerals on an empty stomach,
especially iron.
If the iron causes nausea or stomach upset, you can try a less nauseating form of
iron called “slow Fe”.
Do not take calcium and iron at the same time; take at least 4 hours apart.
Do not take vitamins and minerals with tea, coffee, or cola.
It is recommended that you start using these supplements prior to surgery to help
you get used to the schedule and build up your system.
Vitamin/Mineral
Calcium
Iron
Vitamin B12
Result of Deficiency
Weak and brittle bones
Anemia, fatigue, dizziness, infection,
inadequate blood stores, low blood count
Tingling of hands and feet, nerve damage,
trouble walking, paralysis, pernicious anemia