Dietary Supplements After Bariatric Surgery

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients for all biochemical processes in the body, and people undergone bypass surgery have a higher need to these nutrients in order to maintain a healthy functions of their body. But going for bypass surgery and other weight loss surgeries increase the risk of deficiencies due to the malabsorption and metabolism issues resulted from these surgeries. Bypassing the small intestine in gastric bypass surgery decrease the amount of absorbed calories from food, the main source for vitamins and minerals, so less amount the body get increase the necessity for dietary supplements for bariatric patient.

" Deficiencies you will want to check for often include Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B12, and Folic acid "

Patients undergone bariatric surgery are expected to take dietary supplements for the rest of their lives to support their body. It is common to develop iron deficiency anemia, and osteoporoses in the short term or post the surgery. In long term there is a risk for developing chronic diseases such cardiovascular, colon cancer, and bone fractures if supplements were not taken properly.

In addition to a nutritious diet, iron, calcium, Vitamin B12, and multivitamin supplements are recommended to achieve the optimal health. Also, maintaining annual lab testing is required to monitor any abnormality or changes may occur specially in the presence of any signs of fatigue or shortness of breath.

Credits: Cheryl Ann Borne