The Magic Pill For Weight Loss Surgery Success
August 2, 2013Vitamins For Weight Loss Surgery Success
When we make the choice to have weight loss surgery, responsibilities and accountability to our health is part of that decision. We have weight loss surgery to improve our health, manage or extinguish co-morbid conditions, and obtain an overall sense of well-being. You can accomplish a component of insuring your health in the form of pills.....your vitamins! One of the ways to maximize our health is through a consistent and high quality vitamin supplementation program that you adhere to daily.
We insure our vehicles with automobile insurance, our homes and possessions with homeowners or renters insurance. To insure and maintain good health is easy, simple and convenient, carry nutrient insurance on yourself through your vitamin regimen!
What vitamins to take - A, B, C, D? Does it matter which type of calcium? Which ones are best? How much do I take? When do I take them? Obviously, you should always follow the instructions of your bariatric surgeon or primary care doctor. Let’s open the vitamin treasure chest of nutrient supplements.
A suggested program for bariatric post-op patients could include:
Morning:
- 2 iron (25 mg. each) Ferrous FUMERATE, Carbonyl iron or elemental iron.
- Vitamin C (1,000 mg.) ascorbic acid with rose hips.
Mid-Day:
- Calcium CITRATE (500 mg.) with Vitamin D and Magnesium (250 mg.).
- Vitamin E (400 IU E a-alpha tocopheryl sucinate).
- 1 Multi-Vitamin.
Evening:
-Calcium CITRATE (500 mg.) with Vitamin D and Magnesium (250 mg.).
- Zinc (50 mg. zinc gluconate, chelated).
- 1 Vitamin A and D (10,000 IU Vitamin A and 400 IU Vitamin D3).
Bedtime:
-Calcium CITRATE (500 mg.) with Vitamin D and Magnesium (250 mg.).
- 1 Multi-Vitamin.
NOTE:
- 1 sublingual B-12 daily (cobalamin concentrate) or monthly B-12 injection.
- B Complex tabs daily, are also suggested, especially for energy.
Some important tips and information to know:
→ For any weight loss surgery procedure that involves surgical rerouting of our stomach, make sure that you take calcium citrate not calcium carbonate for absorption.
→ Make sure that you do not take calcium citrate and iron together. Stagger these supplements at least two hours apart.
→ Take iron alone and not with other medicines, juice, dairy or calcium. Absorption of iron is difficult. For maximum benefit, take iron alone. The only exception is to take with Vitamin C.
→ For multi-vitamins, take the nutritional equivalent of Centrum. Take two multi-vitamins rather than one for best absorption. Bariatric formulated vitamins are best as they are designed for us and our specific needs. Chewables and liquid are best for maximum absorption because they require no digestion except ingesting orally.
→ For Vitamins A, D, E, C and Zinc, use only dry tablets as we do not absorb anything in an oil type gel cap, or ones that are enteric coated, or time released versions.
→ If you elect to take your B-12 sublingually, melt under your tongue and hold the saliva with the dissolved B-12 in your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute. This will allow it to more fully be absorbed.
→ Minerals are also important as well. The most common issues to pay special attention with minerals are usually in calcium, iron and potassium.
→ It is recommended that an annual DEXA bone scan is performed due to the heightened possibility of osteoporosis after gastric bypass surgery. A bone density scan is different than the calcium levels obtained from our lab results. The calcium levels in lab work come from our blood and not in our bones.
Remember, these are the basics of vitamin supplementation. If your lab work shows any drop in any areas, these amounts should be reviewed for appropriate adjustment.
Vitamins are nutrients that are essential for maintenance of normal metabolic functions. Vitamins are supplements, both synthetic and natural, and come in many forms.
The water-soluble vitamins are Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Panethanic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Biotin, Cobalamin (B12), Folic Acid,and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The fat soluble vitamins are Vitamins A, D, E and K.
The water-soluble vitamins are not significantly stored by the body and need to be replaced daily by food or supplementation to maintain adequate levels. These vitamins can be rapidly depleted in conditions interfering with intake or absorption. The fat-soluble vitamins are better stored in our body, and if not excreted, toxic levels could occur. For the gastric bypass patient, who malabsorbs fat, fat-soluble vitamins cannot be digested properly, and are excreted without doing their job. Vitamins in dry form only are therefore recommended. If your vitamins are in an oil base, they are ineffective.
No one would ever build a house on a foundation of sand or a flimsy stack of playing cards. For a solid foundation of health, a high-quality, consistent vitamin supplementation program must be part of your daily routine.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cathy Wilson, PCC, BCC, had RNY surgery in 2001 and lost 147 pounds. Cathy is a regular contributor to the OH Blog and authored the "Mind Matters" column in ObesityHelp Magazine. Cathy is a licensed pilot and loves flying. She is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC).Read more articles by Cathy! |
