The Best Bariatric Vitamins To Take After Surgery - And Which Ones To Avoid
One of the most common side effects of bariatric surgery is nutrient deficiencies. Bariatric surgery can reduce the amount of nutrients your body absorbs from food, leading to serious health problems if not properly managed. That’s why it is vital to choose the best bariatric vitamins during your post-surgery recovery and beyond.
Vitamins are an important part of keeping your body healthy, especially after bariatric surgery. But what are the best vitamins to take after bariatric surgery? Today, we’ll discuss which vitamins you need most post-surgery, and a few you should steer clear of for best results.
The best bariatric vitamins to take post-surgery
As you probably know, bariatric surgery is a procedure that helps you lose weight by altering your digestive system. After this surgery, patients are put on a special diet and given specific vitamins and minerals to supplement their new, reduced calorie intake.
While every patient is different, and will have different needs, there are certain vitamins and minerals that are the best bariatric vitamins and minerals for everyone.
So what are the best vitamins to take after bariatric surgery? Here are a few of our top suggestions:
Iron
Iron is one of the best bariatric vitamins you can take. It is needed to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. You can develop iron deficiency anemia if you don't get enough iron.
Anemia occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that helps carry oxygen to your tissues. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
If left untreated, iron deficiency anemia may cause serious health problems such as heart failure and even pregnancy complications. That’s why it’s important to include iron as one of your bariatric vitamins post-surgery.
Iron deficiency is common in many people in the United States. Still, it is even more prevalent in people who have had bariatric surgery, and who do not have the capacity in their stomachs to eat enough food to get an adequate amount of iron.
The best bariatric vitamins should include iron, and you can also find iron supplements on their own as well.
Calcium citrate
Calcium is a mineral that is essential for strong bones and teeth. It is also crucial for muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting, which is why it makes our list of the best bariatric vitamins.
While calcium is found in many foods, such as dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and certain types of fish, it can be challenging to get enough calcium if you are not eating a well-balanced diet. This is especially true for people who have had bariatric surgery, as they may not be able to eat enough of these calcium-rich foods.
Calcium supplements are often recommended for people who have had bariatric surgery.
Calcium citrate supplements can be taken with or without food. It is important to take calcium citrate with vitamin D to help the body absorb the calcium more easily.
Vitamin D
As we just stated, taking vitamin D is important after bariatric surgery. Vitamin D is one of best bariatric vitamins and is a vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. It also is important for your immune function, and having a deficiency in this crucial vitamin can wreak havoc on your health after surgery.
Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in people who do not get enough sunlight exposure, such as those who spend most of their time at home or live in northern climates. Of course, if you are resting inside post-surgery, and not eating as much, it can be easy to become deficient in this important vitamin!
People who have had bariatric surgery are at an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency as they often cannot absorb enough vitamin D from their diet. This is one of the best bariatric vitamins that you cannot miss!
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is next in our list of the best bariatric vitamins. Vitamin B12 helps keep the body's nerves and blood cells healthy. It is found in animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. This condition happens when the body does not have enough vitamin B12 to produce red blood cells. Symptoms of megaloblastic anemia can include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and shortness of breath.
Multivitamins
Bariatric multivitamins contain many of the best bariatric vitamins and minerals - it’s literally what they are designed for! Make sure your multivitamin contains all the vitamins above and, if not, be sure to supplement with them in addition.
Multivitamins are a great way of getting some of the best bariatric vitamins in just one pill or liquid dose. You just need to make sure that the multivitamin you take contains enough of each vitamin. Of course, not all bariatric vitamins are created equal, and there are some you should avoid!
Which vitamins should I avoid after bariatric surgery?
There are a couple types of vitamins you should avoid after bariatric surgery. Ideally, you should stay away from vitamins in pill form, and stick with gels, capsules, and liquids instead. This is simply because hard pills are more difficult for your body to digest, particularly post-surgery.
The ones you really want to avoid, however, are gummy vitamins.
I know, I know. They taste good, they’re cute and colorful - what’s wrong with gummies!?
Well, if you’re here wondering: “What are the best vitamins to take after bariatric surgery?”, gummy vitamins aren’t it.
The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, vitamin gummies often contain high amounts of sugar, which is one of the ingredients you really need to avoid after your surgery. The second reason is that these gummies do not contain enough vitamins - particularly iron.
Stick with vitamins that contain at least 100% of the RDA for the vitamin that you want. Any less than this and you may be risking vitamin deficiencies.
So now that you have an idea of the best bariatric vitamins and the ones you should avoid, what else should you be adding into your supplement routine post-surgery? Let’s take a look at the best supplements for bariatric patients.
Supplements to take after bariatric surgery
Taking the best bariatric vitamins following surgery is an excellent way of staying healthy, but it isn't the last word in supplementation. Here are a few more ways to stay in optimum health after your bariatric surgery.
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient that helps the body build and repair tissues. People who have had bariatric surgery often need to increase their protein intake because they are at risk for protein deficiencies.
Protein is found in large quantities in animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It is also found in vegan foods like lentils, peanut butter, and tofu. Of course, with a limited caloric intake, you may be better off getting protein from supplements.
Protein supplements can come in a liquid form, or as a protein powder for bariatric patients. They can be mixed with water or milk to make tasty bariatric surgery protein shakes!
Fiber
Fiber is a form of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. It is found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Fiber helps keep the digestive system healthy and can help prevent constipation. People who have had bariatric surgery often need to increase their fiber intake because they experience constipation.
Fiber supplements come in powder form and can be mixed with water or added to food.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for the digestive system. They are found in yogurt and other fermented foods. They help keep the gut microbiome healthy.
People who have had bariatric surgery often need to take probiotics because they sometimes experience gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. If you are going for a probiotic supplement, try to stick to capsules over pills, and look for ones with higher strain counts.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the body. You can get them from fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. You can also buy omega-3 supplements from health food shops.
Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving heart health.
People who have bariatric surgery are often suggested to take omega-3 supplements because they reduce inflammation, which can sometimes be part of the healing process following bariatric surgery.
Collagen
Supplementing with collagen after your bariatric surgery will not only help your body heal, but it will also provide you with heaps of protein, which your body needs after surgery.
Collagen protein is what your body uses to heal wounds and even calm your digestive lining - as such, it’s incredibly beneficial to take after bariatric surgery (or surgery of any kind).
You can think of collagen supplements as number one when looking at alternatives to protein shakes after bariatric surgery.
When choosing between complete and incomplete proteins, always go with a collagen supplement that is a complete protein. This will help your body process the protein, and make the healing from the collagen more powerful. This means that the collagen you take should have added tryptophan.
Not all collagen supplements have this, so make sure you check the label before you buy!
FAQs about bariatric vitamins
Is it important what time of day I take vitamins?
If you are taking the best bariatric vitamins, there isn’t a specific time of day you need to take them in order to receive the benefits. The best vitamins for bariatric patients can be taken at any time convenient for you, and they will still be effective.
Should I take bariatric vitamins with food?
There are many factors that people consider when trying to determine whether or not it is better to take the best bariatric vitamins with food. One of the main considerations is the type of vitamin being taken.
Some of the best vitamins for bariatric patients are best absorbed when taken with food, while others may be just as effective when taken on an empty stomach.
That being said, there are some general guidelines that can be followed in order to ensure optimal absorption of the best bariatric vitamins and minerals. In general, fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, D, E, and K) are best absorbed when taken with meals that contain fat.
This is because the vitamins that are fat-soluble are stored in the body's fatty tissues, and require fat so they can be properly absorbed. Water-soluble vitamins (like vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins) are not as affected by food, and can generally be taken at any time, either with or without food.
What are the best protein shakes after bariatric surgery?
If you’re like most people, you probably think of protein shakes as something that bodybuilders and athletes drink to help them bulk up. But what you may not know is that protein shakes can also benefit people who have had bariatric surgery (and can also be a key part of your pre-bariatric surgery diet.)
Most people who have bariatric surgery will need to consume more protein in their bariatric liquid diet, to help their bodies recover from the surgery and prevent malnutrition. Protein shakes are an easy and convenient way for people who have had bariatric surgery to get the extra protein they need.
There are a couple things to keep in mind when choosing a protein shake after bariatric surgery. First, make sure that the shake you choose has at least 15 grams of protein per serving. Second, look for a shake that is low in sugar and calories, as this will help you to keep the weight off.
Finally, make sure that your protein shakes are lactose free, as people often become lactose-intolerant following bariatric surgery.
If you’re looking for a convenient way to get extra protein after bariatric surgery, consider adding a protein shake to your diet. It can help you heal and repair your body while providing you with the nutrients you need to stay healthy.
Liquid collagen protein: powering up your bariatric vitamins
Getting the best vitamins for bariatric patients to support your body after bariatric surgery is absolutely crucial. Still, it is just as important to take collagen protein! Collagen can heal your stomach, ensure you stay full for longer, and give you all the protein your body needs after surgery.
Best yet, you can get liquid collagen protein in single-serve packages that you don’t need to mix with anything, so they are easy to take on the go, and will fit into your liquid diet, no matter what part of post-surgery recovery you are in.
