Iron After Bariatric Surgery – What You Actually Need (UK Guide)

Iron deficiency is one of the most common issues after bariatric surgery — especially for patients who've had gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.

But most people don’t realise that standard iron tablets often don’t work well after surgery.
Low-dose, pharmacy-style iron supplements are usually underdosed, hard to absorb, and often cause side effects.

So what do you actually need?

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Why Iron Deficiency Happens After Bariatric Surgery

After surgery, your digestive system absorbs less iron due to:

• A reduced stomach surface

• Lower stomach acid

• Shorter contact time in the small intestine

That means less iron from food and supplements is absorbed — and many patients become anaemic within 6–12 months of surgery.

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What Iron Dose Should You Take?

UK post-op guidance recommends:

• At least 30–36mg of iron per day

• In a well-absorbed form like Iron Bisglycinate

This is higher than most general supplements, which often contain only 7–14mg — sometimes in harder-to-tolerate forms like ferrous fumarate.

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Bari Enhance contains 36mg Iron (as Bisglycinate) — the gentle, high-absorption form often recommended by UK bariatric teams.
It’s less likely to cause nausea or constipation, and more likely to maintain long-term iron levels when taken consistently.

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Can You Skip a Separate Iron Supplement?

That depends on what you're already taking.

If your multivitamin doesn’t include at least 30mg of iron — or uses a lower-absorption form — you may need to top up with a separate iron tablet.

But many UK patients now prefer a complete multivitamin that includes iron, B12, Vitamin D, and B-complex in one capsule.

Still comparing multivitamin options? Read our UK guide to what to look for →

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What to Watch For

Even with supplements, it’s important to watch for signs of iron deficiency:

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Cold hands/feet

• Headaches

• Pale skin

• Shortness of breath

If you’re feeling “off” after surgery and haven’t had your iron checked, speak to your GP or bariatric team.

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What to Look for in an Iron Supplement

Want a one-a-day capsule that meets UK iron needs? See Bari Enhance →