The purpose of a weight loss procedure is to substantially decrease a person’s food intake which can be achieved using different surgical methods. However undergoing any weight loss procedure may result in vitamin deficiencies.
When patients undergo a Lapband will have reduced food consumption, and as a result this will decrease the amount of nutrients being consumed. Therefore it is important to compensate for this loss by taking one daily multivitamin tablet to ensure your body is receiving adequate vitamins and minerals.
The Gastric Sleeve and Bypass procedures are different as they involve surgically reducing the stomach size. As a result this does impair the absorption of vitamins and minerals as the stomach is producing less intrinsic factor and less acid, which is required for the uptake for iron, folate, and vitamins B12. To prevent deficiencies patients must take two multivitamin tablets daily for life (preferably morning and night). Post-operative deficiencies may also be exacerbated after surgery as a result of noncompliance to a bariatric nutrition protocol and inadequacy of food variety.
So which vitamins should you take post weight loss surgery?
As a bariatric patient it is important to take the multivitamin recommended by your Surgeon or Dietitian. Dr Adib and our Dietitian Sharon Rochester recommend taking BN Multi which is specifically formulated for bariatric patients. Other types of multivitamins such as Gummy Vitamins do not have sufficient nutrients for bariatric patients.
The table below shows the difference between two bottles of Gummie Vitamins vs one BN Multi tablet:
**Please Note: Brisbane Obesity Clinic does not have any product endorsements or affiliations with any product companies. This article is for education purposes only.**
