Taking Supplements after Weight Loss Surgery

Supplementing your Weight Loss Efforts Don’t be afraid to supplement your health after weight loss surgery. 

After weight loss surgery you will not be able to eat as much in a single sitting as you may currently be accustomed to. While this will help you cut calories and lose weight, not being able to eat larger portions may make it hard to get all of your nutritional needs from your diet alone.

There are six essential nutrients that you should be including in your diet. They include protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Every time you sit down to eat or drink, you’ll want to make sure you are getting proper amounts of each of these nutrients. If your diet lacks even one of these nutrients, you may develop a nutritional deficiency. This is a health complication that is marked by decreased energy levels, headaches and skin rash. Dehydration is one example of a nutritional deficiency that develops when you are not consuming enough water.

What are Supplements?

Supplements often come in the form of oral capsules or shakes. They are generally low in calorie but are nutrient dense, helping you to maximize your nutrient intake without overdoing on calories. A classic example of a nutrient is an oral vitamin.

It is recommended that you take supplements to make up the balance of your nutritional needs following surgery. However, before starting any new supplements it is important you discuss the medication with your weight loss surgeon.

Here are a few of the supplements you should consider following your weight loss surgery:

  • A good multivitamin is a must. Look for supplements that contain 100% of the RDA of all required vitamins and minerals. For the first few months after lap-band surgery, liquid or chewable vitamins may be best.
  • Take a separate calcium supplement. Most multivitamins do not contain a full day’s supply of this mineral. Calcium is important to keep your bones strong. Look for chewable tablets or soft chews.
  • You should take a separate iron supplement, as well. Iron helps you heal from your surgery. It is also important to get enough iron to avoid anemia, which can make you fatigued and more prone to cuts and bruises. Liquid iron supplements are available.
  • B-12 will help your body to heal following your operation, and also contributes to strong bones and teeth. This is available as a sublingual pill or liquid to make digestion easier.

It is important to get enough protein after weight loss surgery, and supplements can help you with this. These are available as premixed shakes, bars, or powders that you add to liquids. You should try to consume 60 to 80 grams of protein each day, between food and supplements. Most health food stores and many supermarkets in Michigan will have a variety of protein supplements available for you to choose from.

 

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