Which Vitamins and Supplements Will I Need After Bariatric Surgery?
Surgeons at Vision Bariatrics in Tijuana, Mexico, perform weight loss surgery to assist medically and morbidly obese individuals in shedding excess pounds. Bariatric techniques, such as gastric bypass, reduce the stomach’s capacity and alter the digestive tract to decrease appetite and limit the amount of food the stomach can hold.
In addition to decreasing the stomach’s capacity, bariatric surgery limits the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body. After surgery, patients must take measures to minimize the risk of malnutrition. We are often asked by patients, “Which vitamins and supplements will I need after bariatric surgery?” Here, we discuss which supplements are most beneficial after weight loss treatment.
Multi-vitamin
All bariatric surgery patients should take a complete multivitamin daily. We recommend a multivitamin that includes a mineral formula. A multivitamin fills nutritional gaps that patients experience as their food consumption and calorie absorption decrease after surgery. Initially, patients may be prescribed a soluble multivitamin. However, a month after treatment, patients can switch to a tablet multivitamin. To reduce the risk of nausea, it is a good idea to take a multivitamin with food or shortly after a meal.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium is a mineral that promotes bone health and cell and muscle function. Vitamin D improves the absorption of calcium so we suggest that patients take a calcium supplement that includes Vitamin D. Vitamin D provides the added benefit of promoting heart health and low cholesterol levels as well as minimizing the risk of high blood pressure.
Iron
Anemia (lower than normal amount of red blood cells and hemoglobin) is not uncommon after bariatric surgery. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. An iron supplement replenishes low iron stores, which increases hemoglobin. Patients who develop anemia after bariatric surgery or female bariatric surgery patients of menstrual age should take a daily iron supplement. Calcium and iron supplements can interfere with each other and prevent absorption, so they should be taken at different times of the day.
Vitamin D3
In addition to the calcium/Vitamin D combination, we advise our Tijuana patients to take a separate D3 vitamin. An adequate amount of Vitamin D promotes healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. A daily Vitamin D supplement also helps prevent osteomalacia, a condition that causes bone softening and weakening.
Vitamin B12
Changes made to the stomach and small intestine during bariatric surgery affect the absorption of B12 and can lead to a deficiency. Vitamin B deficiency may result in symptoms including fatigue, weakness, and mouth ulcers. To prevent Vitamin B deficiency and promote a healthy nervous system and red blood cell count, we recommend B12 injections. B12 injections are administered intramuscularly and can be given once every three months.
Contact Vision Bariatrics
Bariatric surgery promotes safe and effective weight loss, which can drastically improve one’s health. If you are interested in learning more about the weight loss surgery techniques offered at Vision Bariatrics in Tijuana, send us a message and request a consultation at your earliest convenience.
