I know, I know…. We all hate swallowing pills and sometimes we feel like we spend our entire day getting this vitamin or that mineral down the proverbial hatch! Ugh…. When will it end?? Well, after bariatric surgery, it doesn’t end. Vitamins and minerals indeed become a part of daily life after a bariatric procedure. And, they are an important part at that! Taking them each and every day can help prevent many, more serious, health problems that may likely require more than just popping a daily pill to cure!

Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can bring about long-term problems, such as neurological damage, immune system impairment, anemia, and even bone loss. The old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, certainly applies here! It’s much easier, less costly, and just plain better for you, the patient, to take all of the vitamins and minerals recommended to you by your health care team from the get-go.

There are many different forms of vitamins and minerals on the market today that make it less of a hassle (dare I say, even enjoyable!) to take your supplements each day; some of which are even made expressly for people who have undergone a bariatric procedure! There are chewable multivitamins, dissolvable calcium citrate crystals, and even “gummy” vitamin D3 chews that some patients tell me taste like a sweet treat at the end of their meal! If you’re not sure what to take, talk to your Registered Dietitian to help you find the appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements for you! It’s critical to your good health!