Melbourne - Don’t forget your vitamins!
After bariatric surgery, you will need to take a multivitamin for life.
You may need higher doses of certain vitamins or minerals, especially Iron, Calcium, and Vitamin D. You will also need to have at least yearly blood tests with 360 SURGERY Melbourne to monitor your vitamin and mineral levels.
As long as you take your appropriate multivitamin, it is rare to have health problems from vitamin deficiency.
Weight loss surgery can lead to reduced amounts of vitamins and minerals because people eat less and may absorb less in the intestines. Weight loss surgeries have different effects on vitamins and minerals based on how much change in absorption they cause. Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein can negatively affect health causing:
- fatigue (feeling tired)
- anaemia (low levels of red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body)
- bone and muscle loss
- impaired night vision
- low immunity (your body’s ability to stay healthy)
- loss of nerve function (can affect your senses such as touch, taste, and smell)
- mental function deficits (changes how clearly you think)
Fortunately, nutrient deficiencies following weight loss surgery can be easily avoided with a good diet and the use of supplements including vitamins, minerals, and sometimes protein supplements. Before and after weight loss surgery, you are advised of the appropriate diet and vitamin supplement needed. You will have your vitamins and minerals checked on a regular basis after surgery. Nutrient deficiencies and any associated health problems are preventable with monitoring and patients following diet and supplement (vitamin and mineral) recommendations. Health problems due to deficiencies usually occur in patients who do not regularly follow up to monitor healthy vitamin and mineral levels. Be sure you stay in touch with 360 SURGERY Melbourne for best results.
