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Vitamins & Minerals After Bariatric Surgery
enquiries@thedietologist.co.uk
Why are vitamin and mineral supplements Important after Weight Loss Surgery?
After any type of bariatric surgery there is a risk of developing vitamin or mineral deficiencies. This is because you’ll be eating smaller portions of food, which makes it more difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from your diet alone. It is recommended that all patients who have had bariatric surgery take certain vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of their lives. Some supplements are available on prescription, but others you may have to purchase yourself.
Which supplements, and how much you need to take, depends on which type of bariatric surgery you have. You must also have routine nutritional blood tests after bariatric surgery to monitor your nutrition. The advice below is a summary and does not give specific guidance.
Intragastric Balloon or Gastric Band
If you have an Intragastric Balloon or Gastric Band it is recommended that you take a Complete A-Z Multivitamin and Mineral supplement every day for life (or while the balloon is in place) to reduce the risk of micronutrient deficiencies.
Gastric bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy
If you have a Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy, we recommend that you take the following supplements every day for life to reduce your risk of micronutrient deficiencies:
Complete A-Z Multivitamin & Mineral:
· A-Z Complete Multivitamin and Mineral supplement twice daily or Forceval once daily (only suitable Multivitamin and Mineral supplement available on prescription) and available in soluble or capsule form.
· It should contain Zinc, Selenium, Copper and Fat Soluble Vitamins A,D,E and K.
Calcium and Vitamin D
· You need to take a Calcium and Vitamin D supplement daily, to ensure good bone health, for life!
· Additional vitamin D supplementation maybe necessary if blood levels are low. Speak to your healthcare provider.
Iron
· This is available on prescription as Ferrous Gluconate or Ferrous Sulphate. The dose of iron you need, depends on gender , for women if you are menopausal/menstruating and your blood results.
Vitamin B12
· You will need to start having regular Vitamin B12 injections three months after your surgery. To prevent you developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency we recommend you have this done at your GP surgery every three months.
· An injection is the most effective way for your body to absorb this vitamin after a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.
Folate (Folic Acid)
· Check your Multivitamin and Mineral contains Folic acid.
· Preconception and during pregnancy, high dose folic acid is needed up until the first trimester of pregnancy. Further supplementation maybe required dependent on nutritional intake and blood results. Discuss with your healthcare provider.
Taking your Vitamins and Minerals
To ensure your Vitamins and Minerals are well absorbed it is recommended that you:
· Avoid taking your Calcium and Vitamin D supplements at the same time as your iron supplement. Take them a couple of hours apart.
· Take your multivitamin and mineral with food. Sometimes you can feel nauseous if you take them on an empty stomach.
· Spread your Calcium and Vitamin D supplements throughout the day (for example, do not take them all in one go).
· Take your iron supplements with Vitamin C containing food - such as a small amount of orange juice, fruit or vegetables.
Ensure you have your routine bloods checked and reviewed by your dietitian to reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Further supplementation maybe required dependant on your blood results. To find out more, book in for a discovery call.
