After undergoing bariatric surgery, supplemental vitamins are not just a suggestion but a necessity for the rest of your life. Many people are surprised to learn that even if they eat healthy whole foods, they will need to supplement their diet with vitamins after bariatric surgery to ensure their body gets all the nutrients it needs.
Many people do not understand how their digestive system actually works or exactly how bariatric surgery has made significant changes to it. They do understand that to help them lose weight, their stomach size has been reduced or a portion of their intestine has been moved, but they do not fully realize that this also can inhibit their body from getting what it needs to function properly and can result in serious side effects.
Today we are going to talk about some of the most vital vitamins and minerals that your body must have to stay healthy and why supplemental vitamins after bariatric surgery are so important.
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Why You Need Post Bariatric Surgery Vitamins
Bariatric surgery changes how your body handles food because some procedures reduce the size of your stomach, and others also change how long the food you consume remains in your digestive tract. This is part of how you lose weight, but it also makes it harder for your body to absorb all the vitamins and minerals it needs from the food you eat.
After a gastric sleeve, your new, smaller stomach holds less food, so even if you eat healthy meals, it is almost impossible to get all the nutrients you need. If you had gastric bypass surgery, your body will not have the time it would normally take to extract all the nutrients it needs either. After bariatric surgery, vitamin and nutrient supplements can help prevent deficiencies and the complications they can cause. It is important to be prepared and understand the types of bariatric surgery vitamins you will need.
What Happens If You Skip Your Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
Skipping your vitamins now and then may not seem like a big deal, but if you have had bariatric surgery, it can lead to serious issues if it happens too much. Your body depends on certain nutrients to keep everything running smoothly, and when you do not get enough, things start to go wrong.
You may feel tired all the time, have trouble focusing, or notice frequent mood swings. Some people experience hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin, dizziness, or frequent headaches, which are all early warning signs that something is off.
If you continue to deprive your body of the critical vitamins and minerals it needs, your problems can become more serious. Deficiencies in vitamins like B12, iron, or calcium can cause nerve damage, anemia, bone loss, or even heart issues. Some of these problems take a long time to show up, but the damage is quietly happening under the radar screen and compromising your health, which is why regular bloodwork and a consistent “after bariatric surgery vitamin routine” are so important.
What Nutrients Do You Really Need?
There are three vital things your body needs to stay healthy, and it is important that you understand this after having bariatric surgery because it is going to be up to you to ensure your body gets them. Your body needs macronutrients, micronutrients, and water to function properly, and with a smaller stomach or a shorter digestive tract, it is more of a challenge to accomplish.
Macronutrients
These are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and the main sources of energy your body uses every day.
- Protein is especially important after bariatric surgery because it helps your body heal, keeps your muscles strong, and supports your metabolism. Most patients are pretty good at focusing and hitting their daily protein goals.
- Carbohydrates give you quick energy, but after surgery, you will need to be very mindful of how many you eat and where they come from. Since your digestive system can only process a very small amount, whole foods like fruits and vegetables are usually better choices than processed ones.
- Fats are also important, but you only need a small amount. Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, olive oil, etc., help boost your brain function, enhance hormone balance, and improve the health of your skin.
Micronutrients
These are the vitamins and minerals that your body only requires a small amount of, but they are absolutely essential.
Micronutrients are needed everywhere in your body, from your bones to your brain, and even though the amounts needed are small, the consequences of not getting enough can be huge. A minor micronutrient deficiency can leave you feeling drained, affect how you recover from illness or injury, and lead to more serious health issues.
For example, B vitamins help with your energy level, iron carries oxygen in your blood throughout your entire body, calcium keeps your bones strong, and vitamin D helps keep your immune system strong. Without these micronutrients, your body cannot function the way it should, and you might start to feel tired all the time and get sick more often, and gradually these small problems can turn into serious health issues like anemia, bone loss, nerve damage, etc.
Water
Staying properly hydrated is just as important as eating the right foods. After your stomach size is reduced, you cannot drink large amounts all at once, so you need to sip steadily throughout the day.
Dehydration is the number one reason bariatric patients have to return to the hospital, and it can sneak up on you quickly and make you feel dizzy, tired, or nauseous.
Most adults need around 64 ounces of water a day, and with your smaller stomach, you will not be able to eat and drink together during a meal, so it is a good idea to carry a water bottle with you and frequently take small sips. You need to keep in mind that you should not drink 30 minutes before or after eating, since it can interfere with how your body digests food.
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Common Deficiencies After Surgery
Some of the most important vitamins after bariatric surgery that you need to ensure your body gets include
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin) helps with energy and healthy skin, and a lack of it can lead to fatigue, irritability, and stomach discomfort.
- Vitamin B12 helps keep your nerves and red blood cells healthy, and deficiencies can cause numbness, memory problems, and mood changes.
- Iron helps carry oxygen through your blood to all the areas of your body that need it, and low iron causes tiredness and dizziness, and can eventually lead to anemia.
- Calcium is what your body uses to build and maintain strong bones and teeth, and vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and makes sure it gets where it needs to go. Without enough of these two nutrients, your bones can become weak and brittle, which raises your risk of fractures. You might also start to feel muscle cramps, numbness, or tingling in your hands and feet, and in more serious cases, a long-term deficiency can affect how your brain works, leading to memory problems or trouble concentrating.
What Are The Best Vitamins To Take After Bariatric Surgery?
Not all vitamins are created equal, and after bariatric surgery, you need more than a regular multivitamin from the drugstore. You need vitamins designed for bariatric surgery patients because they are stronger and contain the right mix of nutrients your body needs.
Look for vitamins that meet the guidelines set by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). Your multivitamin should include things like
- 18+ mg of iron
- 400 mcg of folic acid
- 3,000 IU of vitamin D
- 12 mg of thiamin
- 2 mg of copper
- 500 mcg of B12 (dissolvable or chewable is best)
- 1,500 mg of calcium citrate (in three 500 mg doses, taken separately from iron)
Depending on the type of weight loss procedure you had, you may also need other supplements as well. Your doctor can use your blood work to help create a vitamin supplement plan that works best for you and your circumstances.
Make Taking Your Vitamins Part of Your Normal Routine
The easier it is to take your vitamins, the more likely you are to stick with taking them and ensuring your body gets what it needs. Luckily, today there are a number of options to choose from because they now come in chewables, pills, drinks, and even patches. Your doctor can help you mix and match these options to develop a personalized plan based on what works best for you and what your body tolerates.
Many people do not factor in the ongoing costs that lifetime vitamin supplements will require after having bariatric surgery. You can expect to spend around $40 to $75 a month on high-quality supplements, but you can look at it as a worthwhile investment in your health and your future.
Will I Need Supplements After Non-Surgical Weight Loss?
Yes, you might still need supplements after having a non-surgical weight loss procedure like Suture Sculpt endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), but not to the same degree as after bariatric surgery. ESG does not involve removing any part of your stomach or changing how your body absorbs nutrients, so the risk of severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies is much lower.
Your stomach will be significantly smaller, so it is still tricky to get everything your body needs through just your diet alone. Dr. Batash will help guide you on choosing a good multivitamin, along with other supplements like calcium, vitamin D, or iron, depending on what he feels you personally need.
The team of experts at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center will monitor your progress and nutrition carefully to ensure you are losing weight at a healthy pace and getting the vitamins and minerals you need.
Where Can I Learn More About Non-Surgical Weight Loss?
If you are curious about non-surgical weight loss options like Suture Sculpt endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), the best place to start is with experts that understand the complexities of weight loss and specialize in these procedures. Dr. Steven Batash at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center has been helping people lose weight safely and effectively without traditional surgery for over three decades.
He and his knowledgeable team will take the time to explain how Suture Sculpt ESG works, if you would be a good candidate, what kind of results you can expect, and how to maintain your weight loss. They also offer ongoing support with nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes to help you reach your goals and stay healthy.
You do not have to figure it out alone; we are here to answer your questions, walk you through your options, and help you decide what will work best for your body and your life. To learn more, schedule a consultation with us today.
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