What type of vitamins should I use after a gastric sleeve?

Question

I had gastric sleeve on 12/5/2117. Chewable vitamins make me gag. Nature Made has a solid vitamin with all the requirements I need. Will these be absorbed without porblem?

Wiljon W. Beltre, MD · Answer

A good multivitamin (women one a day, centrum, adult chewable etc).  Chewable are preferred since you tend to absorb more.  In addition, you should take vitamin D3,2000 to 5000IU per day.  Some patients like to add B12 for energy and Iron.  Unless you had an issue with these before your sleeve, you do not need to take them.  Remember, sleeve gastrectomy unlike gastric bypasses and DS do not change how you absorb food, medicines or vitamins.

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

Since you had a gastric sleeve in 2017, you still need lifelong vitamin supplementation due to your reduced stomach size and possible absorption challenges. The good news is that absorption issues are less severe compared to gastric bypass, but it’s still important to take the right form of vitamins.
Since chewable vitamins make you gag, you can consider tablets, capsules, softgels, or liquid forms. Sublingual or dissolvable options are also great for key nutrients like B12.
You should focus on a complete multivitamin that includes iron, folate, and zinc. Calcium is also essential, and calcium citrate is the best form since it absorbs better than calcium carbonate. You need about 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium daily, split into doses of no more than 500 mg at a time.
Vitamin D3 is crucial for calcium absorption, and you should aim for at least 3,000 IU per day. Vitamin B12 is another key nutrient, and it’s best taken as a sublingual tablet or an injection at doses of 500 to 1,000 mcg daily. If your multivitamin doesn’t contain enough iron, you may need an additional supplement, ideally between 18 and 45 mg per day, but be sure not to take it at the same time as calcium. Folate and zinc are also important, and most bariatric multivitamins include them.
If Nature Made contains all the necessary nutrients in the right amounts, it may work. However, many general over-the-counter vitamins are not designed specifically for bariatric patients, so you may need extra supplementation.

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello, I hope you are well. A good amount of patients refer nausea with chewable vitamins. In these cases, the best next step is to follow up with your nutritionist for a change in supplements. I would not recommend you switichng up your vitamins without your team's knowledge as you require specific supplementation that may not be covered by regular vitamins.

Michael F. Sedrak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

bariatric multivitamin, such as 'bariatric advantage'; vitamin d, calcium, iron, thiamine; b-complex, and if you have issues with hair and nails, add biotinplus whatever your surgeon recommends!

What type of vitamins should I use after a gastric sleeve?

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Answer: Vitamins after sleeve

Answer: Vitamins after sleeve

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What type of vitamins should I use after a gastric sleeve?

Answers (4)

Answer: Vitamins after sleeve

Answer: Vitamins after sleeve

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