Research

Bariatric vitamin and mineral supplementation after gastric bypass surgery is critical in maintaining proper health and nutrition. Micronutrient deficiency is the most common side effect due to malabsorptive components of gastric bypass surgery. This typically occurs in approximately 21% of patients.

Some frequently seen deficiencies include: iron, vitamin B12, folate, and calcium. Side effects when lacking in these important nutrients include: easy bruising, loss of hair, and lack of energy.

Taking a chewable multivitamin is the easiest and most effective way of reducing the risk of micronutrient deficiencies in the body after gastric bypass surgery. A chewable bariatric vitamin ensures success of absorption by beginning the digestive process in the mouth. Chewing breaks down the multivitamin to its most biologically available form and gives your digestive tract a distinct advantage of absorbing all the bariatric vitamins and minerals possible. Taking a capsule may delay the absorption of supplements being taken initially following surgery. The shell of the capsule must be broken down in the digestive tract before absorption can occur. When and where this takes place cannot be determined with 100% accuracy.

You must find a bariatric vitamin and mineral formulation that is made specifically for patients who have had gastric bypass surgery. This formulation should have dramatically higher percentages of vitamins A-E, vitamin B12, folic acid and calcium. It must also include iron and chelated forms of minerals which increase your chance of absorption. Those patients taking anti-coagulants, such as Warfarin and Coumadin, must consult with their healthcare provider before consuming a formulation containing vitamin K. Patients who suffer from migraines should consider a product that is sweetened with sucralose (Splenda) rather then aspartame. Be sure that your surgeon or primary doctor routinely checks your blood work for early detection of any underlying deficiencies.

Research