Taking a multi-supplement before surgery will improve your nutritional status to help you feel better now and help with healing after surgery. Once you’ve had bariatric surgery, you will need to take a multi-supplement forever. Vitamins and minerals are needed for a wide range of functions, including your muscle’s ability to move, conduct nerve impulses, strengthen bones, heal wounds, support a healthy immune system, improve vision at night, and many other functions.
There are two main reasons you need to take your multi-supplement indefinitely. First, your stomach pouch is very small and you won’t be able to get the volume of food to provide adequate vitamin and mineral intake through eating alone. Secondly, a reduced stomach pouch also reduces the ability for certain nutrients to be activated to be better absorbed. With the roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery, the altered digestive system leads to some malabsorption issues due to alterations in your digestive system.
Our guidelines recommend finding a multi-supplement like a regular Centrum or Centrum Silver. These have the 100 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. Be aware not all multi-supplements contain everything you need. The multi-supplements for people 50 years old and older or a men’s formula will not contain iron. Multi-supplements will also not have all the calcium you need. Gummy and soft chew types of multisupplements usually aren’t complete and often lack important B vitamins.
How does your multi-supplement compare? See the comparison chart below. It lists several of the Centrum supplements. Fill in the empty column with the percent Daily Value (%DV) for the nutrients listed in your multisupplement. You will find that in the Nutrition Facts Label.
How does your multi-supplement compare? Working with the dietitian and getting regular lab work will help keep your vitamin and mineral status in good shape.
Note:
·Calcium, Iron, B12 and Vitamin D are often taken in separate supplements as directed by physicians and dietitians.
·Phosphorus is abundant in foods such as meats, dairy and beans. Fluoride is in tap water and foods cooked in tap water. Folate may be listed as folic acid.
·RDA is Recommended Dietary Allowance. AI is Adequate Intake. Values are given for adults 18 years and older. RDA is an amount determined by research. These are for general population. Bariatric patients may need more.
·mg is milligram; mcg is microgram