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Daily vitamin and mineral supplements should be taken for a lifetime. Chewable and liquid forms are recommended
for at least the first 3-6 months after surgery as they may be better tolerated and better absorbed. Progression to capsules
or tablets may be an option and can be discussed with the dietitian.
When it comes to choosing which supplements are right for you, consider:
• Does it meet recommendations?
• How does it taste?
• Number of tablets, chews or amount of liquid (i.e. serving size) to reach suggested dose
• Price and availability
Taking a Bariatric Multivitamin can help to minimize the number of supplements you need to take every day.
The following pages outline the recommendations for vitamin and mineral supplementation after bariatric surgery and
provide you with a few available options for your convenience. While the list may appear extensive there are many ways
to meet your individual needs and if the vitamin and mineral regimen you choose doesn’t work for you, please discuss this
with your dietitian to find a regimen that does. We are here for you!
Please bring in all vitamin and mineral bottles or pictures of the front and back labels with you when you come for your
Outpatient Nutrition appointments. This is the best way for us to help you!
It is important to follow up with the Bariatric Surgery Team regularly. As part of these visits we will check and review your
blood work and make adjustments to your vitamin and mineral supplements as needed.
Vitamin & Mineral Supplements for Bariatric Procedures
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Sample Daily Schedule for Supplements
Breakfast
Snack
Calcium Citrate (500-600 mg)
Lunch
Calcium Citrate (500-600 mg)
Snack
Calcium Citrate (500-600 mg)
Dinner
Bariatric Multivitamin(s) (with recommended amount of Vitamin D and B12)
OR
Over the counter Multivitamin(s) &
Vitamin D (3,000 IU every day) &
Vitamin B12 (350-500 mcg every day or 1,000 mcg every other day)
Snack
Additional Iron if recommended
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Multivitamin Recommendations:
• Multivitamin must be complete, containing iron and other trace minerals. Should contain at least:
✓ 200% Daily Value for most contents, specifically iron (36mg), folic acid (800mcg) and thiamin (3mg)
✓ 100% Daily Value for zinc (15mg), copper (2mg) and other nutrients
• Taking a Bariatric Multivitamin may eliminate the need for additional Vitamin D and B12 supplements.
• Bariatric Multivitamins are also available with different amounts of Iron, choose one that meets your individual needs and eliminate the need
for a separate Iron supplement as well.
• AVOID GUMMY Multivitamins. Gummies do not have all the vitamins and minerals you need.
Multivitamin Options
Serving Size
Per Day
Where to Purchase
Chewable
Bariatric Formulations- Include higher levels of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12. Do not need to take an additional supplement.
Bariatric Advantage
• Bariatric Advantage Ultra Solo with Iron
1
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Celebrate
• Celebrate One 45 (formerly called MCR 45)
• Celebrate Multi-Complete 60
• Celebrate Multivitamin Soft Chew
1
2
2
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
www.celebratevitamins.com
OPURITY Bariatric Multi Chewable with 45 mg Iron
1
www.unjury.com
ProCare Health
• Bariatric Multivitamin with 45 mg Iron
1
www.procarenow.com
Over the Counter (OTC)- Need to take additional Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 with the OTC options.
Equate Children’s Multivitamin Complete
2
Walmart/On-line
Target brand Kids’ Multivitamin Complete
2
Target/On-line
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Calcium Citrate Recommendations:
• Choose Calcium Citrate as this type is better absorbed than other types (i.e. calcium carbonate and gummy tricalcium phosphate).
• Recommended daily dose is 1,200-1,500 mg per day.
• Take in divided doses of 500-600 mg 2-3 times a day. Your body can’t absorb more than this at one time.
• Calcium should contain Vitamin D to increase absorption.
• Take at least 2 hours apart from multivitamin with iron and any additional iron supplements to maximize absorption.
Calcium Citrate
Amount of Calcium
Where to Purchase
Chewable/Chewy
Per tablet/chew
Bariatric Advantage
• Calcium Chewable
• Calcium Chewy Bites
500mg
500mg
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Celebrate
• Calcium PLUS 500 Chewable
• Calcium Soft Chews
500mg
500mg
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
Liquid
Per Tbsp
Lifetime Calcium Magnesium Citrate
600 mg
On-line
Solgar
600mg
Vitamin Shoppe/On-line
Wellesse Liquid Calcium
500mg
www.wellesse.com /Drug Store/Costco/On-line
Powder (add to fluid)
Per 2 scoops
Bariatric Advantage Powder Mix Calcium
600mg
www.bariatricadvantage.com
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Vitamin D Recommendations:
• Take 3,000 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D
3
per day.
• If included in your bariatric brand multivitamin, you do not need to take a separate supplement.
• Vitamin D liquid and soft gels are best absorbed when taken with food. Chewable and quick melts can be taken at any time.
Vitamin D
Amount of Vitamin D
Where to Purchase
Chewable/Chewy
Per tablet/chew
Bariatric Advantage chewable gel
5,000 International Units
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Celebrate Quick Melt
5,000 International Units
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
Kal
1,000 International Units
2,000 International Units
Vitamin Shoppe/On-line
Nature Made Chewable
1,000 International Units
Drug Store/Costco/On-line
OPURITY Chewable D3
5,000 International Units
www.opurity.com
GNC Chewy D3
1,000 International Units
GNC
Vitamin Shoppe D3 Chews
1,000 International Units
Vitamin Shoppe
Liquid
Per Serving
Bariatric Advantage
0.5 ml = 5,000 International Units
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Carlson Super Daily
1 drop = 1,000 International Units
1 drop = 2,000 International Units
1 drop = 4,000 International Units
Vitamin Shoppe/On-line
Nature’s Answer
1 drop = 2,000 International Units
Walmart/On-line
Wellesse
2 tsp = 1,000 International Units
Drug Store/Costco/On-line
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Vitamin B12 Recommendations:
• Take 350-500 mcg per day or 1,000 mcg every other day by mouth in the form of a disintegrating or sublingual (under the tongue) tablet or
liquid.
• If included in your bariatric brand multivitamin, you do not need to take a separate supplement.
• Alternate options to discuss with your primary care physician:
o Injection- 1,000 mcg once a month
o Nasal Spray- 500 mcg once a week
Vitamin B12
Amount of B12
Where to Purchase
Sublingual
Per tablet
Bariatric Advantage
1,000 mcg
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Celebrate
1,000 mcg
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
GNC
1,000 mcg
GNC
Nature Made
1,000 mcg
Rite Aid, Walgreens/On-line
OPURITY
1,000 mcg
www.opurity.com
Rexall
500 mcg
Walmart
Twin Lab
500mcg
Vitamin Shoppe/Walgreens/Walmart/On-line
Injection
1,000 mcg/month
Prescription
Nasal
500 mcg/week
Prescription
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Iron Recommendations:
• The iron in your multivitamin may be sufficient. Most people need 36 mg per day.
• Menstruating women and/or patients with iron deficiency anemia need more iron.
• Take 45-60 mg per day if you are female and are still menstruating.
o If your bariatric brand multivitamin contains 45-60 mg of iron, you do not need to take a separate supplement.
o If you take an over the counter multivitamin, take an additional 18-30 mg iron supplement.
• If you are anemic, discuss current iron supplementation and recent blood work with the dietitian to determine the correct dose.
• Taking Vitamin C at the same time as iron can increase absorption.
Iron
Amount of
Elemental Iron
Where to Purchase
Chewable/Chewy
Per tablet/chew
Bariatric Advantage
• Iron Chewable
• Iron Chewy Bite
18, 29 & 60 mg
30 mg
www.bariatricadvantage.com
Celebrate
• Iron+C Chewable
• Iron+C Soft Chew
18, 30, 45 & 60 mg
45, 60 mg
Bayview Pharmacy or www.celebratevitamins.com
Liquid
Per Tbsp
Ferretts IPS Liquid
40 mg
www.pharmics.com
Wellese Liquid Iron
18 mg
www.wellesse.com /Drug Store/Costco/On-line
**If you order supplements from Bariatric Advantage on their website, you can use the code “SAVE10” to get 10% off**
The information contained on this handout is presented for general information purposes only and is subject to change by third parties. The hospital does not recommend any
particular vendor, product or service. Other vendors, products and services may be available from persons not on this list. Nothing contained on this handout should be construed
nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet
or fitness program.
Visit the Johns Hopkins Center for Bariatric Surgery website for an electronic version of this handout and others.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/bariatrics/nutrition-resources.html
For more information, please contact your Nutrition Department:
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Clinical Nutrition Department at 410-550-0311
Sibley Center for Weight Loss Surgery Outpatient Nutrition at 202-243-2349
Rev. 2/2021
Clinical Nutrition