Nutritional Supplements in the Bariatric Patient

After bariatric surgery, patients lose approximately 50% of their weight within six months of the procedure and reach their goal weight between one and one and a half years after the surgery. Although other bariatric techniques have been used that include only the restrictive mechanism, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding, none has shown as good of results as the gastric bypass. This is why it remains the standard for the treatment of morbid obesity. It has been shown that after significant weight loss as well as bariatric surgery, metabolic syndrome begins to improve. Blood pressure levels improve significantly as well as glucose levels. Over time, the abdominal circumference also decreases. This eliminates all cardiovascular risk factors.

Since this procedure consists in part of leaving the patient with a definitive process of digestive malabsorption, nutritional supplements should be indicated for these deficiencies. Vitamin B complex, vitamin A, iron, and zinc are important to prevent anemia. In the post-bariatric patient, hair loss is observed, among other things, due to deficient protein absorption, especially during the first months after surgery, when it is not easy for them to eat a complete meal. For this reason, whey or vegetable protein supplements are indicated, according to their habits and preference, to complete the amount of daily protein needed and not to fall into malnutrition. Currently there are specific multivitamins for post-bariatric patients that contain all the necessary vitamins at the right dose.