Basic supplements for your bariatric surgery
Basic supplements for your bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is an effective and increasingly common method to treat obesity, both in patients with associated diseases and in those without them. There are several types of surgical procedures available, which are selected based on the individual characteristics of each patient and the recommendation and experience of the treating physician.
The multidisciplinary management of the patient with bariatric surgery is fundamental, since weight loss with this procedure is achieved through the generation of nutritional deficiencies, and the bariatric nutritionist should recommend which vitamin supplementation during the first months, to prevent or correct deficiencies that occur as a result of eating low in calories and certain nutrients during the first months.
The surgeon and his team must go beyond the surgical procedure and contribute to metabolic and nutritional treatment, achieving a better quality of life for the patient.
To achieve healthy weight loss, it is essential to follow the recommendations provided by your nutritionist. In this way, they will likely recommend the use of certain nutritional supplements, which may include:
- Vitamin D: It is important for bone formation and to regulate calcium levels in the blood. It is activated when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
- Vitamin C: It is an antioxidant that helps the absorption of iron in the body and protects the body from free radicals. It also promotes healing and helps in the repair and strengthening of cartilage.
- Vitamin B9: Also known as folic acid, it is essential for the breakdown, use, and creation of new proteins along with vitamins B12 and C.
- Vitamin B12 maintains the health of neural and blood tissues and prevents megaloblastic anemia. In addition, it plays an important role in protein metabolism.
- Vitamin H or biotin is involved in cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of lipids and amino acids.
In addition to the compounds already mentioned, the bariatric patient needs to add the following vitamin supplements to their diet:
- Calcium: It is necessary for the proper functioning of bones, muscles, and nerves. Calcium citrate or calcium carbonate is the most common form of calcium supplement.
- Iron: This mineral favors the production of hemoglobin, to carry out the transport of oxygen. Its scarcity leads to an anemic state in which cellular oxygenation fails. Consequently, fatigue and tachycardia are felt. At other times: headaches, dizziness, etc.
- Essential amino acids: They are those that the body cannot synthesize and, therefore, must be included in the diet. They are important for the proper transport and storage of nutrients in the body.
