Making it part of a daily routine is critical because bariatric surgery alters your anatomy and, in turn, alters the way your body absorbs nutrients such as bariatric vitamins and minerals. Without the right supplements, there is a higher risk of deficiency and it can be dangerous. Since B deficiency is caused by the anatomical changes that accompany bariatric surgery, it is imperative to provide vitamin B status. Therefore, vitamin B supplementation is very important for preventing deficiency in both the preoperative and postoperative stages.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency could cause Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a type of neurological disorder. Read the sections below to get everything you need to know about vitamins and supplements after weight loss surgery. In addition, vitamin B deficiency can alter homocysteine methylation and cause hyperhomocysteinemia. Long-term health complications, such as anemia, can develop due to iron or vitamin B12 deficiency; neurological complications, such as memory loss or irritability due to lack of vitamin B12; and bone and kidney disease due to changes in the way calcium and vitamin D are absorbed by the body.
Confused with other side effects of bariatric surgery, and even a physical examination by your doctor may not be enough to get a diagnosis. There is also a need for continuous monitoring of these patients to avoid the unwanted side effects of bariatric surgery. Determining your schedule, sticking to it, and finding a vitamin that works for you is the key to success. Malnutrition can occur if you do not receive the vitamins and minerals needed to function properly.
The Garnet Health bariatric team recommends that you take vitamins and minerals before surgery. A major clinical concern that needs to be addressed is the relationship between vitamin B deficiency and the development of depression, anxiety and other neurological complications. In a case report, a 38-year-old male patient who had undergone bariatric surgery developed episodes of psychotic depression, which was attributed to vitamin B12 deficiency. Given the well-known physiological consequences of vitamin B deficiency and its common presentation in those who have undergone bariatric surgery, it is a plausible mechanism that underlies the onset of depression and anxiety in these patients.
Regardless of which bariatric procedure you undergo, you can expect to consume less food after surgery. In addition to your multivitamin, your diet professional may recommend additional supplements based on your body and the surgery you choose.
