For the first 2-3 months after any bariatric procedure all medications need to be CHEWABLE, CRUSHED or in LIQUID FORM. Pill crushers can be purchased at your local pharmacy.
|
Vitamin or Mineral |
Dosage |
Application |
|
Multivitamin/Multimineral with or without iron—please see recommendations below for total iron needed per day (Do not take with Calcium) |
It should contain 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of 2/3 of the nutrients & contain selenium, zinc, copper, folic acid |
One dose by mouth daily *Be sure to read the label of your supplement for amount of chews needed to meet the dosage recommendations* |
|
Iron taken with Vitamin C (Do not take with Calcium) |
Iron –36-45mg Vitamin C – 500 mg |
One pill by mouth daily |
|
Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D (Do not take with iron) |
Calcium total 1200-1500 mg *Be sure to include calcium rich foods in your diet such as milk, cheese, yogurt, soymilk or tofu* Vitamin D total 400-800 IU *More may be needed with deficiency* |
250 mg 5 pills per day -or- 500 mg 3 pills per day -or- 500 mg 2 pills per day + one high calcium food source such as milk, cheese, yogurt, soymilk or tofu. |
|
Vitamin B 12 Choose one of the application methods listed to the right |
500 micrograms (sublingual) |
Place one pill under the tongue (sublingual) daily |
|
1 ml injection |
One injection per month |
|
|
500 micrograms nasal spray |
One spray in one nostril once a week |
|
|
Vitamin B Complex |
One pill to include 50-100 mg of Thiamine (B1) |
One pill by mouth daily |
|
Zinc (optional)* |
15 mg (Most multivitamins contain 15 mg of zinc) |
One pill by mouth daily |
|
Biotin (optional)* |
3000 micrograms |
One pill by mouth daily |
* Zinc and Biotin are optional medications used to minimize temporary hair thinning.
Vitamins and minerals pose toxicity risks if taken in very high doses. Please do not take higher doses of the vitamins/minerals listed above unless you have discussed this with your registered dietitian or physician.
Many patients choose specific bariatric formulated vitamins as these are chewable and tolerated well. These specialty vitamins are not necessary, and very rarely needed beyond the first 3 months after surgery. As the diet changes, and tolerance to foods progresses patients are able to switch to over the counter vitamins.
Remember no single vitamin contains everything you need!!!
You should take your vitamin and mineral supplements DAILY
You should have your vitamin and mineral levels checked and adjusted:
- 3 months after surgery
- 6 months after surgery
- Yearly after surgery
Nutritional supplements are not tested for accuracy of ingredients, safety or potency by any regulatory body. There are a few third party companies that will test supplements for the items listed above. These companies include NSF, USP, Informed Choice and Consumerlab.com. It is important that you take a supplement from a reputable company for your safety.