Let’s talk about the consequences of not taking vitamins after gastric bypass. Weight loss surgery permanently changes how your gastrointestinal system works. It is important to remember that after your bariatric procedure, your body will begin undergoing significant changes. You will need to learn how to adapt to your new lifestyle and adjust your eating habits and diet.
Because of your dietary changes and what your body can process, you will need to be aware of the level of vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Vitamin supplementation is critical after weight loss surgery, whether it’s gastric sleeve, gastric bypass surgery (also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch, and more.
If you neglect to take the recommended vitamin and mineral supplements after bariatric surgery, you may experience some negative consequences. Here are some of the consequences of not taking vitamins after gastric bypass.
Reduced iron levels
Most types of weight loss surgery reduce the amount of stomach acid in your body. Due to this, your body may have a difficult time converting dietary iron that it gets from foods to more usable forms of iron. If this is ignored and not supplemented with iron, you could become iron deficient and become anemic. This could cause you to feel weak or lethargic, have restless legs, hair loss, and ice cravings.
Iron plays a key role in the overall function of your body, and helps support and create red blood cells that carry essential oxygen to your organs. Iron also helps your body heal and grow, so if you are iron deficient, you may see changes in your hair, skin, or nails.
Reduced B vitamin absorption
After weight loss surgery, it is important to ensure that you keep a close eye on your vitamin B levels — especially in the first year post-op. Bariatric vitamins can help with your continuing health care. Ask us for more info!
Oftentimes, weight loss surgery patients experience deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 (also known as a folate deficiency). Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is the vitamin that our bodies store the least amounts of, and people can become deficient in just a few weeks. That’s why we recommend taking extra thiamine before and after bariatric surgery.
If you experience low levels of these vitamins, you might notice that you are tired, pale, weak, and lightheaded. If it continues for a prolonged time, you may notice issues with depression, nerve problems, and more. A vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to memory loss, too.
Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency
Without the right amount of calcium, your body will start taking it from other parts of your body, including your bones and teeth. If not treated, calcium deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis and risk of bone fractures.
Vitamin D is also needed for the absorption of calcium. Without the proper vitamin D levels, patients could be at risk for recurrent infections, chronic pain, and weakness.
To avoid issues with vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bariatric surgery patients will need to be committed to taking regular supplements for the rest of their life.
To learn more, contact our team at Oregon Weight Loss Surgery. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
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