Tips for Choosing the Best Bariatric Vitamins
Undergoing bariatric surgery is one of the best decisions an individual can make. It is a life-changing commitment and helps you improve the quality of life you might have lost while overweight. Taking bariatric vitamins assists with preventing extra complications that might arise after the surgery.
One of the most difficult things most of the bariatric patients face is maintaining weight loss through nutrition. The majority of the patients already had a complicated relationship with food before the surgery, and that is why incorporating bariatric vitamins can help in maintaining the right weight. But how do you choose the best bariatric vitamins?
Tips For Selecting Bariatric Vitamins
Before choosing bariatric vitamins, there are a few things to consider, including the following:
- Potency: Search for one with high potency rates and high levels of certain vitamins and minerals such as iron, folate acid, calcium, and vitamin B12.
- Easy to swallow: Most bariatric patients find it hard to swallow even the most minor pills; therefore, liquid vitamin supplements are ideal.
- Additives: Avoid vitamins with additives such as sugar, binder’s artificial colors, and artificial flavors. Always select a clean formula since the additives can interfere with the absorption rate.
- Talk to your health provider: Talk to a bariatric surgeon before selecting a vitamin. They will provide you with a personalized list of what your body needs.
- Look at your nutritional needs: Your needs will always vary based on gender, age, overall health, and the surgery. If you’re unsure, a healthcare provider can help determine how much you will need in your body after the surgery.
- Affordability: As much as we might not want to admit it, the price contributes to how much you will spend. Therefore, look for bariatric vitamins within your price range.
- Look for Multivitamins: Choose a multivitamin that covers a broad spectrum of essential nutrients that are ideal for you. Most bariatric patients are at a higher risk of deficiencies, so a comprehensive multivitamin can help address various nutritional needs.
- Check for Key Nutrients: Ensure that the bariatric vitamins contain vital nutrients, including:
- Vitamin B12: It is crucial for energy metabolism.
- Calcium: This is ideal for bone health.
- Vitamin D: It assists in supporting calcium absorption and bone health.
- Iron: Prevents anemia.
- Avoid Excess Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Be cautious with fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), as excessive amounts can lead to toxicity after bariatric surgery. Ensure that you pick a formulation that provides these vitamins in safe quantities.
- Choose Reputable Brands: Select vitamins from reputable brands or those your healthcare team recommends. If a company has been in the market long enough and people know about it, you will get something of quality and safe for human consumption.
- Regular Monitoring: You should monitor your nutrient levels through constant blood tests to ensure you are not developing any deficiencies. Constantly adjust your supplement regimen based on the guidance of your healthcare team.
Which Are The Most Essential Nutrients After A Bariatric Surgery?
- Macronutrients include carbs, proteins and fats that are useful for tracking your everyday goals.
- Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, but unlike macronutrients, your body needs these in large amounts.
- Water: You should be sipping water throughout the day to avoid dehydration since it is one of the main reasons bariatric patients return to the hospital.
How Long Should You Take Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
Whether you are a patient who underwent gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery, you will need some nutrient supplementation. Your stomach’s section that handles the absorption of minerals and vitamins has been removed during the surgery, leading to an increased need in your body. Most facilities will have you do blood work every three months to see if your vitamins and minerals are at the correct levels.
Therefore, your postoperative care time will regularly monitor your levels and recommend an ideal supplement regime. You might have to take them for the rest of your life to guarantee optimum health.
Why No Gummy Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
You should avoid gummy vitamins after surgery because your nutritional needs and their composition don’t go hand-in-hand. Gummy vitamins have added sugars, which contribute to an excess calorie intake. This is not suitable for a bariatric patient as the gummies might not provide the right amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for the patient.
Therefore, you will lack the necessary vitamins and minerals post-bariatric operation, preventing you from getting your daily nutrient intake.
Best Post-Bariatric Surgery Vitamins
The ideal vitamins are dependent on the type of surgery you undergo. Some of the best vitamins for different bariatric surgery include the following:
- Gastric Sleeve: Patients who undergo this procedure might be asked by their doctors to take a complete multivitamin including but not limited to vitamin D, iron with vitamin D, Vitamin B12, calcium with vitamin D, and more.
- Gastric Bypass: Based on your healthcare provider's recommendations, these patients also require a complete multivitamin, iron with vitamin C, B12, and more.
- Gastric Band Surgery: These patients mainly take a complete multivitamin and calcium with vitamin D, but there might be other additions based on your overall health.
What Happens If You Don't Take Your Vitamins After Bariatric Surgery?
If you recently underwent bariatric surgery, taking vitamins is essential. Failure to do so will leave you feeling drained, tired, or weak if the nutrients aren’t reaching all your body organs. Without enough vitamins, you will risk deficiency, which could lead to muscle weakness and fatigue. If that continues, it could lead to anemia.
How To Prevent Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery
The ideal diet should be packed with fruits, a good portion of proteins, and whole grains and vegetables to keep your nutritional needs going. However, after bariatric surgery, there is a restriction on the amount of food intake, and less food gets into your body, which means fewer vitamins are absorbed into your bloodstream. Other ways to keep your body healthy after bariatric surgery and prevent nutritional deficiencies include:
- Maintaining a high-quality diet rich in protein, fruits and vegetables
- Daily vitamin supplements are a must
- Have a dietary shift whereby you concentrate more on a liquid diet. First, progress to soft purees before proceeding to solid foods.
- Proper meal timing and avoid taking liquids 30 minutes before and after food.
What Are The Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies After Bariatric Surgery?
You will notice some side effects when your body lacks enough nourishment. It sometimes becomes difficult for your body to absorb nutrients after a weight loss surgery since it alters the digestive system. That is why bariatric vitamins are essential. Not taking the ideal bariatric vitamins could lead to adverse side effects such as nerve damage and permanent memory loss. Here are some of the most common nutrient deficiencies after bariatric surgery:
- Thiamine
- Vitamin B₁₂
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- Copper
What Are The Signs Of Vitamin Deficiencies?
- Lightheadedness
- Brain fog
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Dry and cracked skin
- Paleness
- Weak and brittle bones
Here Is Daily Vitamin Intake After Bariatric Surgery
According to the Mayo Clinic, bariatric surgery changes your digestion, and here is the recommended dose of vitamins and minerals one should take:
Conclusion
After undergoing bariatric surgery, getting vitamins is crucial to maintain a healthy weight. They prevent nutritional deficiencies and assist in maintaining a healthy weight. Look for a reputable company, avoid gummy vitamins, and work with your primary healthcare provider to determine your daily vitamin intake.
FAQs
Are All Bariatric Vitamins The Same?
No, they are not. Some bariatric vitamins might not meet your nutritional needs. Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider to determine which vitamins are ideal and get a recommendation about some of the best liquid multivitamins to select after the procedure.
In What Order Should I Take My Bariatric Vitamins?
You might be overwhelmed by the number of supplements you must take each day after the bariatric surgery. Sometimes, you’re supposed to take specific vitamins with food, while others should be taken separately, which can be confusing. The easiest way to take supplements is to schedule them around mealtime as a daily reminder.
What Is The Most Vital Nutrient After Bariatric Surgery?
Protein is one of the crucial nutrients that should be part of your daily intake after the surgery. Since the surgery reduces your stomach’s capacity, always eat protein before you get full to ensure you reach your daily protein intake.
What Is The Most Common Vitamin Deficiency In Bariatric Surgery?
Post-bariatric anemia is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies, as is vitamin B12. Iron deficiency occurs in about 30% of bariatric patients if they fail to get the correct iron supplements. In these patients, iron deficiency is attributed to the fact that there is a reduction in iron absorption due to the bypassing of the duodenum and hypochlorhydria.
What Makes Bariatric Vitamins Different?
Bariatric-specific pills or liquid vitamins are easy to absorb and contain bariatric-friendly salts. Therefore, there will be less irritation to your stomach, thus preventing vitamin deficiencies.Find Your Store Locator ->
