The Importance of Following a Vitamin Regimen for Bariatric Surgery Patients

Vitamin supplementation is crucial and necessary for life after having bariatric surgery and needs to be taken seriously.  Weight loss surgery brings many lifestyle changes, preventing nutrient deficiencies is one of them.  You are responsible for your health and keeping track of your nutritional intake. Bariatric patients are prone to vitamin deficiencies because the amount and types of food that can be eaten is limited. It is impossible to consume proper quantities of all the vitamins and minerals that the body needs when your dietary intake is reduced.

Your dietitian and surgeon will review the necessary vitamin supplements you will need. You will have labs drawn prior to surgery to check for any pre-existing nutritional deficiencies. For many people, vitamin supplementation will begin long before your surgery date. It is fairly common to be deficient in certain vitamins without even realizing it. Vitamin D and vitamin B12 in particular are very often seen at the very low range of normal or below normal in people that have obesity. It doesn’t hurt to start getting into the routine of taking daily vitamins, even if you aren’t deficient. Make sure you take your vitamins after eating, and never on an empty stomach to prevent nausea and improve absorption.

Vitamin D

The main source of vitamin D is from the sun (hence the nickname the “sunshine vitamin”). People that live in the Northern part of the country spend less time outdoors due to the cold weather which reduces vitamin D intake from the sun. In addition, high levels of body fat make the body less efficient at absorbing and converting sunshine into usable vitamin D in the body. Individuals who are of African, Caribbean, or south Asian background are also more likely to be vitamin D deficient. To make matters worse, there are not many food sources of vitamin D.

Higher fat fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring), egg yolks, liver, some mushrooms, and fortified dairy products or dairy alternatives are the only dietary sources of vitamin D. So if you do not consume those foods regularly and you do not spend much time in the sun, it is highly likely that you have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which are important nutrients for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles.

Vitamin B12

Another vitamin that is extremely important after weight loss surgery is vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 has many, many roles in the body. It is required for red blood cell production to prevent anemia. It is also needed for nerve cell function, supporting mental clarity and energy levels.  Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products including fish, poultry, beef, venison, eggs, and dairy products. However, improper absorption is usually the culprit of a B12 deficiency rather than inadequate dietary intake. Certain medications that are used to control gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can contribute to a B12 deficiency.

One of the best ways to take vitamin B12 is with a liquid or dissolvable tablet that is absorbed under the tongue. Some signs and symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency to watch out for include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Heart palpitations
• Pale skin
• A smooth tongue
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness and tingling
• Shortness of breath
• Mental changes can also occur like memory loss, depression, or mood swings.

It can be very serious if you become deficient in any nutrients after bariatric surgery, so you want to make sure you are taking your supplements! Having to take vitamins daily is a much better trade off than having to take prescription medications that can have negative side effects. This is your new life and you want to be as healthy as possible and feel your best, right.