The importance of vitamin and mineral supplements after bariatric surgery

You probably know the importance of maintaining a nutritious and balanced diet so that you can get all the nutrients your body needs. However, after bariatric surgery, it is important to begin and maintain a supplement regiment in addition to your nutritious diet. Because surgery limits the amount of food you can eat and can make it harder to absorb the nutrients within that food, it becomes increasingly important to supplement nutrients. 

In order to ensure that you are getting enough vitamins and nutrients after bariatric surgery, it is important to take supplements according to the dietary recommendations of your dietitian. Each bariatric patient will have a different set of nutrient needs that can be addressed by taking specific kinds of vitamins. These nutrient needs may change over the years, so you should make an effort to get your labs drawn on an annual basis to make necessary adjustments to supplement recommendations. 

There are some common supplements that are recommended for bariatric patients, although you need to consult your doctor for specifics for your individual needs. Without proper vitamin and mineral intake, you can have health complications such as anemia, memory loss, or bone problems as you age. 

A few of the common supplements required after surgery include:

A good multivitamin. This will ensure you a getting the recommended daily allowance of all the major vitamins and minerals

Iron to help prevent anemia. 

Calcium is also recommended, and the dose will depend on your individual needs and the type of surgery you have. Calcium is important for bone health. It is also important to note that calcium can not be combined with certain other supplements, like iron, and that the body cannot absorb a lot of calcium at one time (therefore, you may need to take smaller doses two-three times a day).

Vitamin D. Combined with calcium, Vitamin D is essential for bone health. Many Americans, regardless of whether they've had surgery or not, are deficient in D vitamins and must supplement. 

B12. The B vitamins are important for blood health, nerve health, and DNA. When you are low on B vitamins, you make experience weakness, tiredness, vision loss, depression and low energy. 

If you have any questions about your nutrient levels, please talk to your doctor or dietician, who can schedule blood work to check those levels and make recommendations.