Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, outlines the important vitamin and mineral supplements to take after weight loss surgery. 
After weight loss surgery, you need to commit to taking a regimen of vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life. Eating smaller amounts of food means your body receives fewer nutrients. In addition, after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy surgery, your system does not absorb some vitamins and minerals as well.
This table highlights the functions of several key nutrients and the symptoms of their deficiency. The damage to your body from many of the deficiencies is permanent, so be sure to follow your dietician’s instructions for taking supplements and have your lab values checked routinely with your primary care physician.
| NUTRIENT | WHAT IT DOES | DEFICIENCY | |
| Vitamin B1 (thiamine) | Helps all cells of the body produce energy from carbohydrates | Fatigue, weak muscles, nerve damage | |
| Vitamin B12 | Works with folate to make red blood cells Vital part of every cell Helps body use fatty acids and some amino acids | Anemia, fatigue Permanent nerve damage including tingling or numbness in hands and feet | |
| Folate (folic acid) | Plays essential role in making new body cells Works with B12 to form hemoglobin in red blood cells Helps reduce risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in developing fetus | Anemia caused by malformed blood cells that won’t carry as much oxygen Increased risk of neural tube defects in developing fetus
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| Vitamin A | Promotes normal vision, helps eyes see normally in the dark Promotes growth and health of all cells Keeps tissues healthy to prevent infection Works as an antioxidant | Night blindness Dry, scaly skin Reproductive problems | |
| Vitamin D | Promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus Regulates amount of calcium in blood | Osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) Osteomalacia: softening of bones
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| Calcium (**NOTE: Supplements are still needed even if blood levels are normal) | Helps bones remain strong by slowing rate of bone loss with age Helps muscles contract and heart beat Promotes normal nerve function | Osteoporosis | |
| Iron | Essential part of hemoglobin that carries oxygen in blood Supports healthy immune system | Iron deficiency anemia Fatigue Infections |
- Cara Stewart, RD, LDN
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