Can someone explain why it is so important to take Bariatric vitamins vs regular vitamins? I am taking in 1000-1200 calories a day, eating better now than ever before ( fruits, veggies, low carbs, some meats, protein bars) and taking in what most skinny people do in a day and they don't take vitamins and are ok. I find the vitamins repulsive tasting.

I think it help those that aren't getting the nutrients they need. My doc just gave me a list to buy myself. I didn't have to do any special kind. I take chewable vitamin c & flintstones. My levels have been fine.

My surgeon had my take vitamins they gave me for 30 days then I could take regular vitamins.

Vitamin pills for healthy adults are often quite large compared to other pills, so perhaps that's part of the reason. I can no longer swallow horse sized larger pills. And, if you have much in the way of restriction with your band, it becomes more difficult to swallow larger pills. Trust me when I tell you that it is no fun when a pill gets stuck...

The bariatric Vitamins are formulated for adults, as opposed to chewable children's vitamins. As a bariatric patient, the amount of food we eat is less than what a non- bariatric patient would eat, so the ability of the body to absorb proper nutrients is more limited. The calorie value of your daily intake of food is not the best value to determine the available nutrients from what you eat. And we rarely are able to absorb all of the nutrients from the foods which we eat.

I purchase my chewable vitamins at my doctor's office because they are less expensive there, and incredibly, they taste good. It is always best practice to follow the instructions your surgeon gives you. If you have questions or concerns regarding the vitamins you should be taking, the best idea is to discuss this with either the doctor or the medical staff.

Unlike other WLS, lapband usually does not mess with absorption of nutrients because you have not had any anatomy removed. Like the above poster stated, most traditional Vitamins are huge, which poses a problem for someone who can only swallow certain sizes. Also, bariatric vitamins do have a lot of extra nutrients compared to traditional vitamins.

Some people at restriction cannot eat such a varied diet that is necessary to get all the different nutrients, so Vitamin supplements would be important there as well.

My surgeon said I could use Centrum chewables and do a Calcium chew daily.

NWgirl, that is what I take also.

I read on here you should take Boitine. My hair is falling out.

I read on here you should take Boitine. My hair is falling out.

I also take 5000 Biotin daily. I am almost three months post-op and have not noticed any hair issues.