As a dietitian, who has specialized in helping people who have had weight loss surgery, I understand the specialized nutritional needs of people who have had gastric bypass, duodenal switch, LapBand, Realize Band and other weight loss surgery procedures.

First, let me explain that there are basically two categories of weight-loss surgery:

1. Restrictive – LapBand, Realize Band, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy are all examples of restrictive procedures. These weight loss surgeries create a smaller stomach, either by putting a band around a small section of your stomach or by surgically removing part of your stomach.
2. Restrictive and Malabsorptive – Gastric Bypass and duodenal switch are examples of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. What this means is that your stomach is made surgically smaller AND your small intestine is shortened and/or rerouted, so that you will not absorb as much of the food you eat.

People who have the combined restrictive and malabsorptive surgeries, like gastric bypass, are most at risk of becoming ill due to nutritional deficiencies. However, simply having a much lower food intake, which happpens with gastric banding surgeries, can result in nutritional deficiences too.

Regardless of which surgery you have had or will have, you will be eating dramatically fewer calories than you are used to eating.   Since you will not get all of the nutrition you need from the food you are eating, you will need supplements to stay healthy. 

• Protein
• Vitamins and Minerals
• Probiotics
• Digestive Enzymes
• Fiber
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids