Undergoing bariatric surgery of any kind is an exciting step towards transforming your body, health, and lifestyle. But it’s not a decision that should be taken lightly. It changes the way that your body digests food and limits the number of nutrients your body can absorb from the food that you eat.
This means that even if you are following a strict and healthy diet, your body will still not be getting the nutrients that it needs to function at its optimal level. In order to provide your body with the vitamins and minerals that it needs, you will need to take high-quality supplements on a daily basis.
Vitamins and minerals you might lack after bariatric surgery
Because your body digests food differently and can’t absorb the number of nutrients that it used to, there are some common deficiencies that people experience after bariatric surgery:
Many bariatric patients suffer from anemia after their surgery because their body is not absorbing enough B12 and iron.
Bone and kidney disease are often suffered because not enough calcium and vitamin D are being absorbed.
Some patients experience symptoms such as irritability and memory loss due to a lack of B12 absorption.
Skin, hair, and liver problems can be caused by a lack of B1 and Thiamine.
Fragility, weakness, and seasonal effectiveness disorder can also be suffered because of a lack of vitamin D and calcium.
What are the best vitamins to take after bariatric surgery?
Weight loss surgeries are a great way to get your body into shape and improve your health, but you will need to take care of yourself well after surgery.
Vitamins for gastric bypass
Many doctors will recommend a complete multivitamin for those that have undergone gastric bypass surgery. This is a great option as it means you don’t have to remember to take a handful of pills every day. But if you would prefer to target each vitamin individually, these are some of the supplements you should be taking:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B12
Vitamins for gastric sleeve
If you have undergone gastric sleeve surgery, your doctor will likely recommend a holistic multivitamin that can cover all the bases. If you would prefer to take the necessary vitamins separately, you should get the following:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
Vitamins for Gastric Band Surgery
If you have undergone gastric band surgery, your supplement requirements are a little less extensive. These are some of the vitamins you should be adding to your supplement regime:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
Why these are important vitamins for bariatric patients
Now that you know which bariatric surgery vitamins you need, let’s take a look at exactly what each of them can do for your body, and why they are particularly important for those who have undergone weight loss surgery.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) – this is an optional extra but taking vitamin B1 (also known as Thiamin) is often recommended by doctors of bariatric patients. This vitamin helps your body to convert food into energy and contributes to the healthy growth of hair, skin, and a healthy liver. If you become deficient in this vitamin you will feel fatigued, and irritable, have trouble sleeping, experience discomfort in your abdomen, and begin vomiting frequently.
- Iron – this nutrient is needed to create hemoglobin, which helps with the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body via the bloodstream. If you become iron deficient post-surgery it can be very difficult to get your iron levels up once again and could require a blood transfusion. If you are struggling with fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, or brittle nails, it could be a sign you are low on iron.
- Vitamin B12 – this vitamin helps your body keep its central nervous system and red blood cells healthy. While many people don’t actually notice when they have a mild vitamin B12 deficiency, more severe cases can cause weakness, muscle tingling, lightheadedness, and even nerve damage.
- Vitamin D and Calcium – this vitamin and mineral work together to keep your bones strong and your mood light. The scary part is that many people that are deficient in calcium and vitamin D aren’t even aware of it. The symptoms include muscle weakness and bone pain, which can often go unidentified for long periods of time, but if left, they could cause you to have weak and brittle bones. A vitamin D and calcium supplement should be taken by anyone who has undergone weight loss surgery to ensure they do not become deficient in either of them.
When you undergo bariatric surgery, your doctor will talk to you in-depth about post-surgery care. They will recommend bariatric supplements that they know work best for their patients, often times this is a multivitamin as it is easier than having many different bottles of vitamins.
While there are some negative effects that you are likely to feel during your bariatric surgery recovery, it is best to let your doctor know if you experience anything unusual that could be a sign of a deficiency. This way you can sort out the problem before it gets out of hand.
Ending thoughts on post-surgery bariatric vitamins
Taking care of yourself after undergoing surgery is crucial to staying healthy, particularly when you’ve opted for bariatric surgery. Your body doesn’t absorb as much energy from food, but unfortunately, that means you’ll be missing out on some necessary vitamins and minerals too.
That shouldn’t put you off from having the weight loss surgery though, as simply taking bariatric vitamins can help you avoid experiencing any kind of deficiencies. Remember to speak to your healthcare practitioner about which supplements would be best suited to your needs before taking anything. With the right dietary supplements, you’ll be well on your way to creating a healthy lifestyle!