Once you have had bariatric surgery, you will need to take extra vitamin supplements and you will have to keep on doing so until you reach the end of your life. Don’t miss out on your regular blood tests – they will help doctors to advise you correctly on what supplements you should be taking.
Most people in the world today should probably be supplementing, but for you, it is an absolute necessity, because your body is less able to absorb nutrients. Micronutrients, those that are required in small amounts, will be one of your biggest challenges. Just because the amounts you need are small doesn’t mean that they aren’t essential. The vitamins you need most of are a good starting point, but there are many different micronutrients needed, and since you won’t want to take multiple different supplements, getting an all-in-one bariatric formulation makes perfect sense.
Bariatric Formulations Are a Must
Don’t be tempted by gummy vitamins after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery. To begin with, they contain sugar which is something you should avoid at all costs. You may have heard that chewable formulations are best for you, and that’s perfectly correct, but the one you choose will be formulated specifically for people who have undergone weight loss surgery. Bariatric vitamins are made with your digestive system’s limitations in mind, and they take the fact that you’ll need easily absorbable, concentrated nutrition into account.
The Most Common Shortfalls to Cover
B-vitamins pass through the body pretty quickly, and you’ll need regular top-ups, especially with your body now short-cutting digestion. Iron deficiencies are extremely common across the population, but particularly in people who have undergone bariatric surgery. Again, using standard, over the counter supplements just won’t cut it for you. Be very alert for signs of deficiencies including fatigue, dizziness, brittle nails and anomalies in your heart-rate. Do see a doctor if symptoms occur.
Calcium and Vitamin D deficiencies are harder for you and your medical team to spot before they have serious consequences. Get some sunshine, eat dairy products in line with your post-surgical diet, and (you guessed it) use those concentrated bariatric supplements. Bariatric vitamins will usually contain around 200 percent of the normal daily allowance for any micronutrient, and they often exclude iron since this should be taken as a separate supplement.
Self-Monitor and Keep Your Doctor in the Loop
Being aware of your nutritional challenges and the symptoms indicating nutritional deficiencies helps you to monitor yourself, reporting any unusual symptoms to your doctor.Take your supplements along to doctors’ visits so that they will know what you’ve been using.
As you grow to understand your altered digestion better, you’ll be better able to cater to its needs, eating and supplementing for concentrated nutrition that’s low in calories. Your journey will be worthwhile. Look forward to a healthier, more active, and above all, longer life as a result of your commitment to wellness. You will have to live through some trying times on the way, but following your recovery and lifestyle adaptations, you’ll find that it was all worth the effort.
