With the Bariatric Procedures becoming more common, long term weight loss solutions are available to many people who might have struggled with diet and exercise alone in the past. While many gastric surgeries are minimally invasive, there is some preparation prior to the surgery and time is needed to heal after the surgery to recover. Once healed, calorie intake is quite restricted.
With less food intake, some essential nutrients may also be restricted. In order to get adequate nutrients, it is often recommended that you supplement with vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a closer look at 3 of the common nutritional supplements that your health care provider may recommend and how to get them into your new, trimmer physique.
Bariatric Surgery – a Quick Summary
Bariatric Procedures for weight loss are types of surgeries that greatly reduce the size of the stomach and small intestine. Most of the procedures are minimally invasive. Yet, they do require anesthesia and some time for recovery. There are 3 standard types of bariatric surgery.
Gastric Bypass, also known as “Roux-en-Y gastric bypass” (RYGB), is generally a laparoscopic surgery where the top portion of the stomach is stapled to form a smaller pouch. It can also be performed as general surgery. This small pouch restricts the amount of food you can safely consume.
Gastric Sleeve surgery is also performed laparoscopically. The surgeon will insert medical instruments through small cuts in the abdomen and remove 3/4 of your stomach. The remaining portion of the stomach will be reattached to form a sleeve or tube for food to pass through. The procedure is permanent and restricts food intake for the remainder of your life.
Gastric Banding is another laparoscopic procedure where the surgeon places a band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a small pouch to hold a specified amount of food. There is no cutting or stapling involved. The band limits the number of calories you can take in by making you feel fuller after eating smaller amounts of food.
3 Top Supplements for Bariatric Patients
Once you have had bariatric surgery or banding you will need to rest and consume a diet of liquid or extremely well-chewed or softened foods for a time. Eventually, you should be able to reintroduce more solid foods in small portions.
You will likely be advised to make healthy food choices, exercise, and supplement with vitamins and minerals. The best way to get these nutrients into your body after surgery is through a transdermal patch. The professionals at PatchMD have experience in producing patches that can deliver nutrients in a safe and gentle manner. Your skin is the largest organ and is capable of effectively absorbing all kinds of essential nutrients. Bypassing the stomach with a patch is easy. All of these vitamins can be delivered in this manner.
1. Vitamin D3 and Calcium Combination
Vitamin D3 deficiency is a global health crisis. Not enough time is spent outdoors to absorb plenty of sunlight for the production of vitamin D3 naturally. Not many foods contain adequate amounts of vitamin D3, so most of us have to supplement. Maintaining your Vitamin D3 levels is especially important after bariatric surgery. Vitamin D3 is known to reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.
Vitamin D3 works together with calcium to discourage inflammatory responses and to support the health of our bones and teeth. It is recommended that you get at least 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg of calcium a day following bariatric surgery.
2. Vitamin B12, B6, and B9 Combination
Inadequate levels of vitamin B12 can significantly decrease energy and may damage the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin B12 is readily available in red meat, fish, poultry, and dairy. These are foods that can be difficult to eat while recovering from any bariatric procedure. The recommended daily dosage of vitamin B12 is at least 500 mcg.
Vitamins B6 is necessary to support adrenal function, maintain a healthy nervous system, and help to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, aids in the prevention of strokes. It also is essential for building muscles, enhancing cells, and hemoglobin formation. Both B vitamins are necessary to boost homocysteine levels in the blood.
3. Vitamin C with Quercetin
It is very important to boost your immune system prior to surgery and during the recovery so that you can fight off any potential bacterial or viral infections. Generally, citrus fruits and other products that are naturally high in vitamin C are restricted while on a Gastric Bypass diet. Vitamin C is necessary for a strong immune system. Supplementation is the only way to get enough vitamin C.
Quercetin is often combined with vitamin C, as it enhances the body’s ability to utilize vitamin C to strengthen white blood cells that are necessary to fight infections. Quercetin is also anti-inflammatory and known to assist in dealing with chronic fatigue and allergies. You can safely absorb 1,000 to 3,000 mgs, and even higher of vitamin C daily. 2,000 mg seems to be a good starting place prior to and after surgery. Too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea.
Bariatric Surgery can be a lifesaver for many people. While there might be some dietary and lifestyle challenges ahead, this is a good time to take stock of your healthier future. In preparation for surgery, as well as recovery of the same, it is recommended that you consider supplementation with certain nutrients to help you get through the process better. This is important because you might not be getting enough nutrients while on a restricted diet.
As already mentioned, it might be difficult to ingest certain vitamins and minerals following surgery. A transdermal patch is a great vehicle for getting a healthy dose of nutrients. These nutrients include vitamin D, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, and quercetin, and can include additional supplements. As with any supplementation, always check with your health care practitioner and surgeon as to the correct dosages and whether you need to limit intake in the weeks prior to surgery so that there is no adverse reaction with any prescribed medications or anesthesia.