FAQs: Bariatric Vitamins

Bariatric vitamins can be an important part of your weight loss and healthy diet, but they’re not always easy to understand. It’s can be hard to find out why you should take them and which ones you need. In fact, some of the most common questions we get are about bariatric vitamins.  So, here are a few frequently asked questions on bariatric vitamins, along with their answers.

Why Do I Need to Take Vitamins?

Some people don’t want to take vitamins because they think it shows they’re sick, or they’re not eating a healthy diet. That’s just not true! Taking vitamin pills doesn’t mean you’re not taking care of yourself in other ways.

The truth is, you may need vitamin supplements after weight loss surgery and while you’re on a weight loss diet for these reasons.

-You are not eating very much food, so it’s hard to meet your daily vitamin requirements from your food without having supplements.

-You may have trouble absorbing certain vitamins and minerals after weight loss surgery.

-You may have higher needs for certain vitamins and minerals because of the stress on your body.

How Can Vitamins Help Me?

Vitamins and minerals are involved in everything your body does. It’s important to make sure you have enough of them. Getting enough vitamins can help you:

-keep metabolism up so you lose more weight

-have more energy

-prevent anemia and other deficiency diseases

-maintain strong bones so you do not develop osteoporosis

Which Ones Do I Need?

Your surgeon or nutritionist can tell you which vitamins and minerals you need. It depends on things like whether you had weight loss surgery and which type you had, what kinds of foods you usually eat, and your age and gender. Some of the most common ones are:

-multivitamin

-vitamin B12

-iron

-calcium

-vitamin D

-B complex

The BariatricPal Store has handy vitamin packs for different types of surgery. You can choose one of our gastric band, gastric sleeve, or gastric bypass packs that are already made up for you so you don’t need to choose. Just add the listed vitamins to your cart and get a discount at checkout!

Always ask your healthcare professional before taking supplements. Also, get your levels monitored regularly to make sure you’re taking the right amounts.

What Form?

Well…it depends on you! Pills and capsules are traditional. They’re tried-and-true, and they’re flavorless. But if you can’t swallow pills after surgery, or you just don’t like to, you have plenty of other options. We offer flavored chewables, soft chews, quick melts, and liquids, too. And if you don’t like swallowing your vitamins, you can opt for vitamin patches – just put them on your skin and don’t worry about remembering to take them!

What about Other Supplements?

Other supplements can support your health and weight loss. Ask your healthcare provider if you should consider taking them. These are some of our top-selling categories.

-fiber: lowers cholesterol, improves gastrointestinal health, lower blood sugar, increases fullness

-omega-3 fats: support heart and brain health, fight inflammation

-glucosamine and chondroitin: support joint health and fight joint pain

-probiotics: support gastrointestinal health and healthy immunity

-biotin: support healthy skin, nails, and hair

Get the nutrients you need to stay healthy and lose more weight! Check out our bariatric vitamin and other health supplement selection at The BariatricPal Store, and remember you can always set your order to Subscribe and Save so you never run out!