Laparoscopic gastric banding, also known as LAP-BAND surgery, is a bariatric procedure that involves placing an adjustable band around the stomach, which effectively reduces the area where food can be stored. This causes patients to eat less, but it may also make it harder for patients to get enough vitamins and minerals.
Common Deficiencies
Most patients are told to take a multivitamin each day after this surgery. When you eat fewer meals, it can be difficult to get the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your body functioning properly. You may also develop an iron deficiency because many iron-rich foods -- including poultry, meat and fortified breads and cereals -- are not well-tolerated by LAP-BAND recipients, Lap-Band-Surgery-Site explains. Calcium deficiencies are another concern for these patients.
Diet
One way of preventing vitamin deficiencies after this surgery is a well-balanced diet. Each day you should consume one to two servings of fresh fruit and two to three servings of fresh vegetables, ObesityHelp.com says, because these foods are rich in vitamins. You should also drink 2 cups nonfat milk or 1 oz. cheese daily to provide calcium. Fortified breads and grains can also add important vitamins and minerals.
Supplements
Even with a careful diet, you may have trouble getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need to prevent deficiencies. After the procedure, a multivitamin helps you get certain vitamins, including vitamin A and vitamin D, which is needed to absorb calcium, the University of Wisconsin says. You may also need to take 50mg of a B-complex vitamin supplement as well as calcium citrate or calcium carbonate supplements.
Considerations
Chewable multivitamins are important after LAP-BAND surgery because if you swallow tablets whole, they may become lodged in your stomach. This is also true for calcium and iron supplements, so use liquid or powdered supplements when possible. If iron tablets become caught in the digestive tract, they can cause irritation and inflammation. In addition, iron and calcium supplements should be taken at least two hours apart, Lap-Band-Surgery-Site.com says, because calcium can interfere with the absorption of iron.
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