Supplement requirements

Supplement requirements post-bariatric surgery

1. When you are discharged from the hospital, begin taking one children’s chewable multi-vitamin with minerals (for example, Flintstones Complete. Do NOT take Gummies).

You should also start taking sublingual Vitamin B12.

2. At your 3-week post-op visits with Wellness Clinicians, you may switch to a non-chewable multivitamin tablet with minerals which has a minimum of 18mg of Iron. (eg Centrum A-Zinc). Continue taking Vitamin B12 500mcg, sublingual daily.

3. Begin taking Citrical Maximum 2 Tablets 2x day. These tablets are 315 mg each, 630 mg total.

At this point you can take these 3 supplements as follows:

Morning: Multivitamin with iron Vitamin B12 500mcg, sublingual

Afternoon: 2 Calcium Citrate + D (315mg each)

Evening: 2 Calcium Citrate + D (315mg each)

Iron supplements may be added if determined to be deficient by blood work. Iron may be take with the multivitamin and should be taken with vitamin C. It is never to be taken with calcium supplement.

Constipation may develop as a result of taking iron supplement. Your stools will also become darker when taking iron.

If you become constipated:

1. Increase your water intake and increase your walking daily.

2. Try 4 oz. prune juice, sipped slowly, each morning. If no relief, then go to #3.

3. Take a stool softener (eg Colace) 1-2 times a day with iron. If no relief, then stop Colace and go to #4.

4. Take PeriColace 1-2 times a day. If still no relief, then try #5.

5. Take a mild laxative such as Correctol or Milk of Magnesia, or Miralax. If no relief, then call your PCP.