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Vitamins

Vitamin supplements after bariatric surgery

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Vitamin supplements after bariatric surgery are an important post-op consideration.  It is critical that you follow our guidelines in terms of recommended vitamins as well as post-op labwork to reduce the risk of vitamin or micronutrient deficiencies!  We recommend only pharmaceutical-grade vitamins for our patients.  Check our eStore for all your vitamin needs!

DO NOT START ANY VITAMINS UNTIL DISCUSSING WITH OUR TEAM AT YOUR FIRST POST-OP VISIT!

Vitamin Supplementation for RNY, Sleeve Gastrectomy, ESG, SIPS, Band

Vitamins & minerals start one month after surgery. The exception is sublingual vitamin B12 which starts one week after surgery.  Your dietitian will discuss with you which vitamins & minerals you will need to take.    

 The following are required to be taken after your surgery:

  • 1 week post surgery:
    • At 1 week out you will begin taking Sublingual B-12 (1,000 mcg) daily until your 1 month visit. 
  • 1 month post surgery
    • Begin chewable multivitamin
    • Iron (26mg/d),
    • Vitamin D3 (15,000 IU/weekly)
    • Calcium Citrate (1000 mg/d, ONLY take 500 mg at one time to increase absorption)
    • Decrease sublingual B12 to 1,000 mcg/week.

JourneyLite Physicians highly recommends Bariatric Advantage vitamins.  They are high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade products that are designed specifically for surgical weight loss patients! 

Vitamins are not tolerated on an empty stomach. Always take your vitamins later in the day. Best time to take your multivitamin is after lunch or dinner.

After 3 months you may begin taking capsule supplements based on your tolerance.

B-12 must remain sublingual or injectable long-term.  Oral tablets will not be absorbed.

Vitamin Tips and Information: 

The form of iron that you need to take is either Ferrous Fumarate or Ferrous Gluconate.  Ferrous Sulfate is the most commonly prescribed form of iron but it not well absorbed after your surgery.  It is also recommended that you avoid taking iron supplements at the same time as consuming coffee, tea, or antacids.   

If you are ever required to take Vitamin D, you want to make sure it’s Vitamin D3. 

The form of calcium you should choose is calcium citrate. This is due to the lack of stomach acid being produced by your new pouch.  Calcium carbonate is the most common form found, but it is not absorbed well because it does require a larger amount of stomach acid to be absorbed. 

 Calcium and iron need to be spaced 2 hours apart.  They actually compete for the same absorption sites and can interfere with each other’s absorption. 

 Products to Avoid: 

  • Centrum
  • One-A-Day
  • Flintstones
  • Generic store brands
  • “Gummy” type vitamins 

The Backyard BBQ Diet

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grill
Should you eat this?

Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to cookout season!

American backyard BBQ favorites will be staring you in the face.  Holiday eating after weight loss surgery can be tricky!  Before you decide to bail on the festivities to avoid wrecking your diet, read on for tips to help you get through it.

Burger vs. Hot Dog: Either one will work out, but skip the bun to save calories. Feel free to pile on the lettuce, tomato, onion, sauerkraut, pickles, ketchup, mustard, salsa or relish, but skip the mayo or cheese. Other meat options that are equally as good as or even better than a plain burger or hot dog include chicken (skin and breading removed), seafood, lean steak, or veggie burgers. Skip the ribs, sausage, or brats.

Salads & Side Items: The best options are lettuce or spinach salad, cucumber salad, or tomato salads. Avoid the mayonnaise-based potato and macaroni salads. German potato salad with vinaigrette dressing and coleslaw are great options. Only have ½ cup serving of either.

Eat the corn! Soak up the butter with a napkin. Squeeze some lime juice on for added flavor! Baked beans are a nice choice because they are packed with fiber and protein, but watch the calories and portions. Stick to 1/2 cup. Avoid chips, pretzels, crackers, and dips. They are very tempting, but they are a waste of calories.

Desserts: Skip it if you can! If they’re just calling your name, limit yourself to what lis the most appealing, take the smallest piece, walk away and savor it.

Drinks: Water, water, water! The colder the better. Unsweetened tea with fresh lemon is also a good option. If you do choose alcohol, light beer or wine spritzers are best (with plenty of water as well) but limit to 1-2 drinks. Avoid any sweet, fruity, or frozen concoctions as these will throw your calories for the entire day.
Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your day and be thankful for all you have.       loseweightcincy.com

Vitamin Supplementation for Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

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Vitamin
For the first 3 months after surgery you will be on a chewable vitamin.  You’ll want to be taking a high quality vitamin, due to the fact
you are at high risk for vitamin deficiency.
The following are required to be taken after your surgery:
  • Multivitamin
  • Iron (26 mg/d)
  • Calcium Citrate (1000­1500 mg/d)
  • Sublingual B­12 (1000 mcg/week) OR Monthly B­12 injection
  •     At 1 week out you will begin taking 1,000 mcg daily until your 1 month visit.
  •     Starting at 1 month post­op you will decrease to 1,000 mcg/week.
  • Vitamin D3 (15,000 IU/weekly)
The following brands are recommended chewable vitamin supplements:
  • Bariatric Advantage (sold at Fast Track or in the e­store at www.thebanddoctor.com)
  • Optisource Vitamins (sold at Walgreens or at www.walgreens.com)
  • Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins (found at www.celebratevitamins.com)
  • GNC Vitamins (liquid/chewable/powered are available)
The above vitamin brands will provide you with all products you are required and are rated very highly for purity and quality.
After 3 months you may begin taking capsule supplements based on your tolerance.  B­12 will remain sub­lingual long term.
The following are recommended vitamin supplements:
  • Nature’s Way (found at most health food stores and Whole Foods Market)
  • Solaray Vitamin’s (found at most health food stores)
  • GNC vitamin products (found at GNC locations or at www.gnc.com)
  • Nature’s Life (found at most health food stores and Whole Foods Market)
  • Prothera Vitamins (found at www.protherainc.com)
There are various wholesale vitamin sites online that you may also be able to find these products.
Vitamin Tips and Information:
The form of Iron that you need to take is either Ferrous Fumarate or Ferrous Gluconate.
Ferrous Sulfate is the most commonly prescribed form of iron but it not well absorbed after your surgery.
If you are ever required to take Vitamin D, the preferred form is Vitamin D3.
The preferred form of Calcium Citrate, this is due to the lack of stomach acid being produced by your new pouch.
Calcium carbonate is the most common form found OTC but, is not absorbed well because it does require a larger amount of stomach
acid to be absorbed.
Calcium and Iron need to be spaced 2 hours between each other.  They actually compete for the same absorption sites and
can interfere with absorption.
Products to Avoid:
  • Centrum
  • One­A­Day
  • Flintstones­ Generic store brands
  • “Gummy” type vitamins

Vitamin Supplementation for Adjustable Gastric Band Patients

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Vitamin

For the first 3 months after surgery you will be on a chewable vitamin.  You’ll want to be taking a high quality vitamin, due to
the fact your are at an increased risk for vitamin deficiency.

The following are required to be taken after your surgery:

  • Multivitamin with Iron (18 mg/d)
  • Calcium (1000 mg/d)
  • Vitamin D3 (15,000 IU/week)

The following brands are recommended chewable vitamin supplements:

  • Bariatric Advantage (sold at Fast Track or in the e­store at www.thebanddoctor.com)
  • Optisource Vitamins (sold at Walgreens or at www.walgreens.com)
  • Celebrate Bariatric Vitamins (found at www.celebratevitamins.com)
  • GNC Vitamins (liquid/chewable/powered are available)
  • The above  brands will provide you will all products you are required and are rated very highly for purity and quality.
  • After 3 months you may begin taking capsule supplements based on your tolerance.

The following are recommended vitamin supplements:

  • Nature’s Way (found at most health food stores and Whole Foods Market)
  • Solaray Vitamin’s (found at most health food stores)
  • GNC vitamin products (found at GNC locations or at www.gnc.com)
  • Nature’s Life (found at most health food stores and Whole Foods Market)
  • Prothera Vitamins (found at www.protherainc.com)

There are various wholesale vitamin sites online that you may also be able to find these products as well.
Vitamin Tips and Information:

  • The form of Iron that you need to take is either Ferrous Fumarate or Ferrous Gluconate.  Ferrous Sulfate is the most
  • commonly prescribed form of iron but it not well absorbed after your surgery.
  • If you are ever required to take Vitamin D, the form you’d want to take would be Vitamin D3.
  • Calcium and Iron need to be spaced 2 hours between each dose.
  • They actually compete for the same absorption sites and can cancel each other out,

Products to Avoid:

  • Centrum
  • One­A­Day
  • Flintstones
  • Generic store brands­ “Gummy” type vitamins