Bariatric surgery is a life changing event and can have a massive impact on not only your weight but your long-term health. However it isn’t a ‘quick and easy solution’; it requires a lifelong commitment to a change of diet and lifestyle. That’s why we encourage all of our bariatric surgery patients to actively attend our support group meetings, as these can not only provide useful information about your journey but also support from us and others experiencing the same situation.
Taking Supplements After Bariatric Surgery
After bariatric surgery you will be consuming a much lower volume of food than pre-surgery, therefore the risk of nutrient deficiencies increases. Some 
surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, alter the way your digestive system works and requires lifelong supplementation. If you fail to take the vitamin and mineral supplements recommended to you by your doctor then you are at an even higher risk of nutrient deficiency. If you have had gastric bypass surgery then you are at even higher risk of nutrient deficiencies due to the way this operation alters the way your digestive system works.
Our most recent support group meeting involved discussion on the main nutrients that patients may become deficient in following bariatric surgery and why each of these nutrients are important as well as which foods they are found in as well as the best ways to prevent deficiencies.
Common Nutrient Deficiencies Following Bariatric Surgery
The main nutrients that patients become deficient in following bariatric surgery include:
Iron  – this is the most common nutritional deficiency in the Western world, and the risk is particularly high following weight loss surgery. Iron is digested by in your stomach via the stomach acid and absorbed into the body. As the size of your stomach has been reduced following surgery the stomach produces less acid, meaning less absorbable iron. Iron is essential for the transfer of oxygen around your body. It is difficult to get sufficient iron from the food you consume alone which makes taking your iron supplements even more important
Vitamin B12 – this is most common in patients who have had a sleeve gastrectomy or a gastric bypass. Again this is as a result of a decreased production of stomach acid your body can no longer absorb vitamin B12 as efficiently as it should. Also eating smaller portions of food rich in B12 can also cause a deficiency.
Vitamin D/Calcium – vitamin D deficiency is extremely common. Vitamin D is needed to absorb sufficient calcium, so can have a knock on effect. A deficiency in calcium can lead to metabolic bone disease and osteoporosis, increased bone pain and risk of of fractures. Ensuring that you take supplements for each will help maintain a healthy bone structure.
These deficiencies don’t develop overnight, but over time can affect your health or quality of life so it is important to get into a routine of regularly taking your vitamin supplements, especially in the months following surgery.
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