The Importance of Supplements After Bariatric Surgery
Why do you need supplements after bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery is effective because it decreases the size of the stomach allowing the person to get full off of small portions. Some surgeries may also reduce absorption of calories and nutrients. Even when eating a very healthy diet, supplementation is essential to ensuring a healthy, successful weight loss and preventing nutritional deficiencies.
Avoiding Nutrient Deficiencies in Bariatric Surgeries
Multivitamin and Mineral supplements are mandatory for life after you have had a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Some multivitamins and minerals can be prescribed by your GP. But for most you will have to purchase them over the counter from other sources. After surgery the quantity that you will be able to eat reduces and this combined with changes to your stomach and small intestine (that result in some mild malabsorption), will mean that you may not absorb sufficient vitamins and minerals. Daily vitamin and mineral supplements are essential to reduce the risk of any deficiencies and keep you well.
The following vitamins and minerals are recommended:
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) helps the body turn carbohydrates into energy and has an important role in the growth, development, and function of cells. Thiamin deficiency can cause neurological issues that could be permanent if not treated quickly. After bariatric surgery, your body will require at least 12mg of thiamin. That is 10 times more than what you needed before surgery.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy. Absorption is significantly decreased after surgery, so higher doses are needed. People who are deficient may experience tingling and numbness in fingers and toes or may feel tired and confused.
Iron
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin that provides oxygen to muscles. An iron deficiency can lead to anaemia—symptoms include lack of energy, hair loss, brittle nails, poor memory, and a lesser ability to fight off infections.
Folate
Folate is needed for red blood cell formation, cell growth and function. It is especially important for women who are or may become pregnant, as it plays a key role in a baby’s development. A folate deficiency will often be presented with other deficiencies and symptoms including weakness, fatigue, irritability, headache, and shortness of breath.
Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral that makes up much of the structure of bone and teeth. It plays a role in other functions like growth, reproduction, blood clotting, muscle contraction and hormone secretion. Calcium deficiency symptoms include numbness and tingling of the fingers, lethargy, muscle cramps and convulsions.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is another micronutrient needed for strong bones and teeth, as it helps your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, which causes soft and brittle bones. Bariatric surgery is associated with a decrease in bone mass and an increase in fractures.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved with vision, reproduction, immunity, and cellular communication. Vitamin A deficiency is presented as xerophthalmia, which dries out the eyes and can lead to night blindness if left untreated.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps immunity and is important for the proper function of many of your organs. Vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve and muscle damage that can result in loss of feeling in the arms and legs, muscle weakness and vision problems. Decreased immune function can also occur.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism and regulating blood calcium levels. A lack of Vitamin K can impair bone health and could lead to excessive bleeding risk in severe cases.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient involved in cell growth, DNA synthesis and building proteins. It also plays an important role in reproduction, immune function, and wound repair. Zinc deficiency can cause taste changes, poor appetite, impaired immune function, hair loss and difficulty concentrating. Although getting adequate zinc is important, it is equally important to not over-supplement, as excessive zinc intake can impair absorption of other minerals, especially copper.
Copper
Copper is more than just a metal commonly found in electrical wiring—it is also present in the body in very small amounts and is used to carry out many important functions. Copper is used to make energy, connective tissues and blood vessels and supports healthy immune and nervous systems. Deficiencies are rare but can cause extreme fatigue, connective tissue disease and impaired immune function.
The Best Vitamins & Supplements to Take After Bariatric Surgery
Post-surgery vitamins and supplements will become an important part of your daily routine for the rest of your life. This new routine will provide your body with the nutrients needed for healthy and safe weight loss.
Option 1: Bariatric Multivitamin + Calcium
Taking a bariatric multivitamin can help to minimize the number of supplements you need to take every day. Bariatric multivitamins contain all the appropriate nutrients and amounts for someone after their bariatric surgery. In addition, calcium chews with vitamin D are also recommended. Both supplements can be purchased without a prescription online or in-store.
Calcium supplements should be spread out between two to three doses throughout the day, because your body can only absorb a limited amount of calcium at one time. It is also recommended to separate your multivitamin supplement from your calcium supplement for around two hours for best absorption of both.
Option 2: Over the Counter A-Z Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Vitamin and mineral supplements that are not bariatric surgery-specific can also be purchased over the counter. The required supplements would include a double-dose multivitamin, vitamin B12, vitamin B1, calcium with vitamin D and potentially additional iron.
Whatever your choice make sure to start taking a complete A-Z multivitamin and mineral formula daily.
Begin to take your multivitamin and mineral as soon as possible after surgery. Ideally, but not guaranteed, you will be given a soluble formula (for 1 month) when you are discharged from hospital. After this you can start taking tablets. Nausea is a common side effect with supplements, aim to take them after food (if taking with fluids leave 30 minutes after eating) to reduce the risk of side effects.
Why can’t I take Gummy Vitamins after Bariatric Surgery?
You’ll want to avoid purchasing gummy-textured multivitamins, because they do not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to support your post‑surgery dietary needs, and many have increased levels of sugar.
Paying for your prescriptions (UK)
If your GP will not prescribe your supplements and you are not eligible for free prescriptions, then you will have to source your own products – this is something The Centre for Bariatric Support can help you with. Here at The Centre for Bariatric Support, we appreciate that post-surgery aftercare is crucial for achieving your desired bariatric results, which is why we are doing everything we can to bring bariatric supplements to you in the most affordable way possible. If you have any further questions about supplements or nutritional issues, please check out the Centre for Bariatric Support Directory to access a registered nutritionist: https://directory.centreforbariatricsupport.com or email: [email protected]
All information provided is for general guidance. Always read the labels and follow any medical advice provided by qualified medical practitioners
