Vitamins and supplements will help you get the necessary nutrition during your recovery stage and over the long term too. Since the size of your stomach has shrunken significantly after surgery, you may have difficulties obtaining enough nutrients from food alone. This is why it is so important to complement your diet with vitamins and supplements.

Gastric sleeve patients should begin taking vitamins and supplements during Stage 2 of the Post-Op Diet, or about 1 week after surgery. It is recommended that patients always take them with food or liquids. The required vitamins and supplements are the following:

• Multivitamins
  • Take 1 chewable multivitamin per day with breakfast. Chewable vitamins are often more easily absorbed by the body. Make sure they are for adults and not for children.
  • Recommended brand: Centrum Chewable Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement.

• Vitamin B-Complex
  • Take 1 B-Complex chewable vitamin per day with breakfast.
  • Recommended brand: Lifeable Vitamin B Complex.
  • If you choose a different brand just make sure it contains at least 100% of your daily B-12 requirements.

• Calcium Citrate
  • There are 2 different types of Calcium: Calcium Citrate and Calcium Carbonate. Make sure to take Calcium Citrate because it is absorbed better by the body.
  • Recommended brands: BariMelts Calcium Citrate, Solaray Calcium Citrate Chewable.
  • Whichever brand you choose, make sure to get a total daily dose equal to 1,000 mg per day. Take half during breakfast or lunch and the other half during dinner.

• Iron
  • Take during breakfast. Make sure to not take it at the same time as calcium.
  • The required dosage is 18 mg to 25 mg.
  • Recommended brands: NutriPure Melts in Mouth Chewable Iron, BariMelts Iron + Vitamin C.
  • It is recommended to take your iron supplements with a dose of Vitamin C for better absorption. The recommended brands already include some Vitamin C.

• Protein Supplements

  • We suggest buying protein powder rather than pre-made protein shakes. Making you own protein shakes with the powder will allow you to control the ingredients going into the shake for a better quality drink. It is recommended to prepare your protein drink with unsweetened plant-based milk such as soy, almond, or low fat coconut.

  • It is somewhat common for patients to develop dairy intolerances after surgery. Whey protein is derived from dairy, so if you are having trouble consuming these types of protein supplements, we highly suggest switching to plant-based sources. You can also start directly with plant-based sources if desired.

  • Recommended brands: Gold Standard 100% Whey (powder), Isopure (powder), Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein (plant-based powder), Premier Protein (pre-made drink), and Protein2O (pre-made drink).

  • If you prefer to buy another brand of protein powder just make sure it meets the following nutrition requirements per serving.

  • Calories: 110 to 130

  • Protein: 20 to 25 grams

  • Fat: No more than 7 grams

  • Carbs: No more than 5 grams

    Note: As your recovery after surgery progresses, the goal should be to gradually increase your protein intake from food and decrease your reliance on protein drinks. Still protein drinks can play an important role in your long-term diet if you are not being able to reach your needs from food alone.

• Suggested supplements schedule:
  • Morning: Multivitamin, B-Complex, Iron
  • Lunch: Calcium citrate (half)
  • Dinner: Multivitamin, Calcium citrate (remaining half)

OTHER SUPPLEMENTS

• Fiber:
  • Helps with constipation
  • Recommended to add one serving if you are not consuming at least 15 grams of fiber per day.
  • Take each serving together with a snack. Serving size should contain around 5 grams of fiber.
  • Recommended brand: Nature's Craft Fiber Gummies.

• Biotin:
  • Recommended by some doctors to help with hair loss after bariatric surgery.
  • Recommended brand: EZ Melts Biotin