If there’s one thing I’ve learned since having bariatric surgery, it’s that the surgery itself is only one part of the journey.
Life after bariatric surgery comes with habits and responsibilities that continue long after the initial weight loss—including paying attention to nutrition and supplementation.
I’ve talked before about what life after bariatric surgery has really looked like for me, including some of the emotional parts of this journey that I wasn’t completely prepared for. Today, though, I wanted to share something much more practical:
The Supplements After Bariatric Surgery That Are Part of My Routine
Supplementation is an important part of my post-bariatric routine because getting adequate vitamins and minerals after surgery matters. But I also want to make something very clear before we get into my cabinet:
This is my supplement routine—not a supplement plan I’m prescribing to anyone else.
Bariatric surgery isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is supplementation. The type of surgery you’ve had, your diet, lab results, medical history and recommendations from your healthcare team can all affect what you need.
With that said, here’s what I’m currently using and why each one has become part of my routine.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Bariatric Multivitamin
My bariatric multivitamin is probably the most important foundation of my supplement routine.
After bariatric surgery, getting the vitamins and minerals my body needs is something I have to intentionally pay attention to. My bariatric multivitamin helps me follow the supplementation routine recommended for life after surgery.
Right now, I’m using BariSlim Multivitamin Gummies.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the supplement you’ll actually take consistently matters.
I can buy the most impressive bottle in the world, but if I hate taking it and it spends six months sitting in my cabinet…it’s not doing much for me. 😂
That’s why taste, texture and convenience genuinely matter to me when I’m choosing something I’m expected to incorporate into my regular routine.
The BariMelts Multivitamin With Iron Is One of My Favorites
I have to give this one its own section even though I don’t currently have a bottle to photograph.
One bariatric multivitamin I absolutely love is the BariMelts Multivitamin with Iron.
I’ve talked about BariMelts multiple times on my TikTok because this isn’t something I randomly found for the purpose of writing this article. I’ve personally used it and genuinely enjoyed it.
The flavor is a huge plus for me. I also love the dissolvable format, and having iron included in the formula is convenient for my routine.
Most importantly, my personal experience with it has been really positive. I haven’t experienced side effects from it, I enjoy taking it, and I simply feel good when it’s part of my routine.
It’s absolutely one I plan to repurchase.
And when I do, I’ll come back and add a photo here because apparently I didn’t plan ahead for Future Blogger Gaby when I finished my last bottle. 😂
Iron
Iron is another important part of my personal supplement routine because I tend to have low iron.
Because of that history, iron is something I pay particular attention to.
The iron supplement I’m currently using is Nature Made Iron 65 mg.
This is also a good example of why I don’t want anyone using my supplement cabinet as a shopping list.
Someone seeing that I take a particular amount of iron doesn’t mean that’s the appropriate amount for them. Iron needs can vary, and taking more isn’t automatically better.
For me, this is about addressing my own needs and keeping up with the recommendations I’ve received for my health.
That’s a very different message from, “I take this, so you should too.”
Calcium
I also include calcium in my supplement routine.
Again, nutrition after bariatric surgery is something I take seriously because I want to make sure I’m giving my body the support it needs long-term.
The calcium product I’m currently using is Viactiv Calcium + Bone Strengthening Soft Chews.
I personally like having a chewable option because sometimes making supplements easier and more enjoyable to take is what helps me actually stay consistent.
And consistency is something I’ve realized matters tremendously with all of this.
I don’t want supplements to become another complicated thing I dread doing every day. I want them to fit realistically into my life.
As with everything else on this list, the specific type and amount of calcium someone needs after bariatric surgery should be discussed with their own bariatric or healthcare team.
Happy V Prebiotic + Probiotic
Now we’re moving away from the bariatric-specific part of my routine and into something that’s much more of a personal wellness choice.
I take the Happy V Women’s Daily Prebiotic + Probiotic because I personally feel like my digestive system does better when probiotics are part of my routine.
This isn’t something I’m saying every bariatric patient needs to take.
It’s simply something I like using.
That’s actually an important distinction with supplements in general. Some things are part of my post-bariatric nutrition plan, while other products are things I’ve personally chosen to incorporate because of how I feel when I’m using them.
My probiotic falls into that second category.
Happy V D-Mannose + Cranberry
I also use Happy V Women’s Daily D-Mannose + Cranberry as part of my personal urinary wellness routine.
I’ve dealt with frequent UTIs in the past, so urinary tract health is something I’m personally mindful of.
For me, adding D-mannose and cranberry to my routine is one of the wellness choices I’ve made because I like how I feel when I’m consistent with it.
But I want to be especially careful with how I talk about this one.
I’m not saying D-mannose prevents or treats a UTI, and a supplement isn’t a substitute for medical care if you’re experiencing symptoms of an infection.
This is simply something I personally choose to include in my everyday wellness routine based on my own history and preferences.
Taking Supplements After Bariatric Surgery Isn’t Something I Treat as an Afterthought
I’ll be the first to admit that remembering supplements every single day isn’t always the most exciting part of life after bariatric surgery.
But I’ve learned to look at it differently.
My body has been through a major change.
Taking care of it now means paying attention to things I may not have thought much about before surgery—including whether I’m consistently getting the nutrients I need.
That’s why supplementation isn’t something I want to treat as an optional little extra when I remember.
It’s part of caring for myself after bariatric surgery.
And that doesn’t mean I’m perfect at it.
There have absolutely been times when I’ve forgotten things, gotten out of my routine or realized I needed to become more consistent again.
That’s real life.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is continuing to come back to the habits that help me take care of myself.
Your Bariatric Supplement Routine May Look Completely Different From Mine
If you’re reading this because you’ve had bariatric surgery—or you’re preparing for it—I really want this to be the biggest takeaway from this article:
Don’t build your supplement routine by copying mine.
Use my experience as exactly that: someone’s experience.
Your bariatric team may recommend different products, different forms of vitamins or minerals, different amounts or a different schedule altogether.
And those recommendations may even change over time based on your lab work and individual needs.
That’s why staying connected with your healthcare team and keeping up with the monitoring they recommend is so important.
I love sharing the things that have made life after bariatric surgery easier for me because this journey is such a huge part of my story.
But sharing what works for me doesn’t mean pretending I know exactly what somebody else’s body needs.
Three Years Later, I’m Still Learning
One of the biggest things life after bariatric surgery has taught me is that this journey doesn’t end when the weight comes off.
I’m still learning.
I’m still adjusting.
I’m still figuring out what routines make me feel my best.
And I’m still working on taking care of the body that has carried me through all of it.
My supplements are just one piece of that.
Some are part of my bariatric nutrition routine. Some I’ve added because of my individual needs. And others are simply wellness products I’ve personally found helpful.
But together, they’ve become part of the way I care for myself in this season of my bariatric journey.
And if there’s anything I’ve learned over these last few years, it’s that taking care of myself after surgery isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about continuing to show up for my body. 💚
Health disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience after bariatric surgery and is for general informational purposes only. It isn’t medical or nutritional advice and isn’t intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition. Vitamin and mineral needs after bariatric surgery can vary based on the procedure, individual health, diet, medications and laboratory results. Always follow the recommendations of your bariatric team or another qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping or changing supplements. If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection or another medical concern, seek appropriate medical care rather than relying on supplements.
