Why would vitamins be needed forever after a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy?

Hello,
Thanks for your question.
There is no need to take vitamin mineral supplements for after gastric sleeve surgery.  Because the absorption does not decrease after gastric sleeve surgery.  We recommend supplements only because the amount of food consumed in the first 2-3 months is low. On your 3rd month you should make blood test results if there is a deficiency in any vitamin-mineral, then it should be supplemented, but there is no need to use multivitamins
I hope this answer helps you.
Have a healthy day
Dr HE

Vitamin absorption after sleeve gastrectomy is completely normal for most patients.  There is a drop in gastric acid production (85% of stomach is removed) so an occasional patient may need B-12 shots.  However, after surgery we want patients to shrink meals down to 4 ounces of good protein.  Because you will not be eating the same wide variety of food after sleeve gastrectomy, we recommend an over the counter multivitamin.

While it is true that gastric sleeve does not interfere with normal absorption process, but you may require to take vitamin supplements because you may have a less intake of your normal daily portion of food. Just by the nature of surgery, you will be eating less and thus there is lower intake of vitamins and minerals. Among different weight loss surgeries, lap band and gastric sleeve patients are less likely to require daily supplements.

It is recommeded to take a multivitamin for patients that had a sleeve gastrectomy.  Even though this procedure does not have significant impact on the overall absorptive funcition, the current standard is to supplement your body with these important nutrients to maximize cellular function. Even if you have not had weight loss surgery, I still recommed a multivitamin to make sure sure that your body is functioning optimally.

Almost all of the vitamins and minerals that we get come from our food.  Couple this with the knowledge of what is in the standard American diet and you can see why many experts recommend that EVERY adult take a daily multivitamin even if they have never had weight loss surgery!. 

After weight loss surgery (regardless of what surgery is done), patients take in significantly less food so they REALLY need to make sure they are taking taking their vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent deficiencies.  Although the exact vitamin and mineral regimen that weight loss surgery patients need is still being debated, I think it is fair to say that the need for some type of supplementation is universally accepted.