Bariatric sleeve surgery, also known as sleeve gastrectomy, is a type of surgery for weight loss which includes removing a portion of your stomach. Because your stomach is smaller, you’re not able to tolerate eating large quantities of food in the same manner that you are able to prior to the operation. As a result, your Port Charlotte weight loss surgeon may advise taking certain vitamins to prevent a nutrient deficiency.
- Multivitamin. Immediately after surgery, your physician may recommend that you take a liquid or chewable multivitamin, because you may initially have difficulty swallowing tablets. Bariatric multivitamins are specifically made for patients who have had surgery for weight loss.
- Iron. If you become low on iron, you may feel fatigued and weak. If recommended by your physician, taking iron supplements will help build your body’s healthy red blood cells. Because iron supplements can interfere with calcium supplement absorption, iron and calcium supplements should be taken two hours apart.
- Calcium. Most multivitamins contain some calcium, but usually not enough to compensate for the calcium loss that sleeve gastrectomy patients may experience. Therefore, you may need to take an additional 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium per day, taken in a few 500 mg doses throughout the day. Calcium citrate is the preferred calcium supplement for gastric sleeve patients.
- Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 supplements (500 mg daily) taken in tongue dissolving or liquid formats may be advised after your sleeve gastrectomy procedure.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to help your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is difficult to absorb normally and is even more difficult for bariatric sleeve surgery patients. Most weight loss surgeons recommend at least a daily dose of 1,000 IU vitamin D supplement.