Vitamin Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery can lead to positive weight loss outcomes, but can also put you at high risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. As you know, bariatric surgeries are restrictive and/or malabsorptive. It is important to adhere to a daily vitamin and mineral regimen or follow the recommendations made by your doctor. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can occur based on the type of bariatric surgery performed and can easily be prevented. Listed below are some of the common vitamin and mineral deficiencies after bariatric surgery:

Vitamin/Mineral Symptoms of Deficiency

Thiamin (thiamine or vitamin B1)	confusion, digestive problems, loss of appetite, memory loss, weakness, nervousness
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)	blurred vision, depression, hair loss, dermatitis, loss of sensation, sleepiness, mouth lesions
Niacin (vitamin B3)	canker sores, confusion, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, inflammation
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)	abdominal pains, depression, eczema, hair loss, immune impairment, nausea, insomnia
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)	acne, anemia, arthritis, dizziness, fatigue, impaired wound healing, irritability, hair loss
Folic acid (folate)	anemia, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, paranoia
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)	anemia, constipation, fatigue, headaches, mouth lesions, irritability
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	bleeding gums, easy bruising, impaired wound healing, irritability, joint pains, tiredness
Biotin (vitamin B7)	hair loss, insomnia, inflammation of the eye, dermatitis
Vitamin A	dry hair, growth impairment, night blindness, acne, immune impairment, insomnia, thickening and roughness of skin
Vitamin D	diarrhea, insomnia, rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, burning sensation in the mouth, nervousness
Vitamin E	poor reflexes, loss of position sense, loss of vibration sense, shortened red blood cell life, gait disturbances
Vitamin K	bleeding disorders
Calcium	brittle nails, cramps, delusions, palpitations, tooth decay, rickets, insomnia, osteoporosis
Iron	anemia, brittle nails, confusion, constipation, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, inflamed tongue, mouth lesions
Zinc	acne, amnesia, brittle nails, diarrhea, depression, eczema, growth impairment, hair loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of sense of taste, low stomach acid, memory impairment, night blindness, white spots on nails, impairment of wound healing
Copper	anemia, arterial damage, diarrhea, depression, hair loss, weakness, hyperthyroidism, fatigue, fragile bones
Selenium	growth impairment, high cholesterol levels, pancreatic insufficiency, immune impairment, liver impairment, male sterility

Why Micronutrient Deficiencies Occur After Weight Loss Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Band and Sleeve Gastrectomy:

• Restrictive surgeries
• Smaller portions and restricted calorie intake
• Limits the amount of micronutrients and macronutrients consumed through food sources

After these procedures, deficiencies are common and require a daily bariatric vitamin/mineral supplement for the rest of your life.

Gastric Bypass:

• Considered malabsorptive and restrictive surgery
• Results in a higher risk of deficiency due to decreased stomach size and the re-routing of the intestinal tract

Many nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. After surgery, a large section of the small intestine is bypassed resulting in malabsorption. For example, the absorption of vitamin B12 begins in the stomach where it is broken down and bound to something called intrinsic factor that helps with the absorption of this micronutrient. When the stomach is decreased in size and a portion of the small intestine is bypassed, the cells of the stomach are no longer able to produce adequate amounts of intrinsic factor to assist in absorption. This process results in the deficiency of vitamin B12. Without a daily bariatric vitamin/mineral regimen, deficiencies are left untreated resulting in substantial health issues that could have been avoided.

Gastric bypass patients often suffer from the deficiency of iron as well. Check out our next blog to learn more - Gastric Bypass and Anemia

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch:

• Primarily malabsorptive with some restrictive properties
• Reconstruction of the small intestine with a substantial amount bypassed
• Reduced stomach size decreases the amount of food consumed and allows fewer calories to be absorbed by the body
• Reduces the amount of fat the body can absorb
• Malabsorption of fats causes high risk of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (Vitamin ADEK tablet or ADEK multivitamin capsule with iron).

It is important to look into a bariatric multivitamin supplement that will provide a high dose formula and most bioavailable forms necessary for absorption after weight loss surgery.

Where To Find The Appropriate Bariatric Supplements

Compared to over-the-counter multivitamin supplements that you can buy at the store, bariatric specific multivitamins usually follow the ASMBS guidelines. These guidelines were produced by experienced healthcare professionals to ensure that bariatric patients receive all of the vitamins and minerals they need at much higher doses than the average multivitamin supplement to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Hydra Vertex provides multiple options for a daily vitamin/mineral regimen necessary for patients after surgery. Our multivitamins can be found as:

• Complete Chewable (those looking for an easy regimen)
• 1 per day multivitamin capsule with Iron
• 2 per day multivitamin capsule without Iron
• ADEK complete chewable multivitamin (suitable for duodenal switch)
• Multi-ADEK capsule (suitable for duodenal switch)
• Multivitamin soft chews

Hydra Vertex also offers a line of corrective supplements for specific deficiencies that need to be addressed including:

• Sublingual B12
• B-50 complex
• Vitamin D3 5000 IU
• Biotin 5000 mcg
• Thiamin (B1)
• Iron soft chews
• Bariatric calcium chews
• Zinc plus Copper
• Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins

With a wide variety of supplemental options that adhere to the ASMBS guidelines, you should feel confident knowing that you will obtain everything you need from our products.

Check out our collection of Gastric Bypass Vitamins and B-50 Complex

Also consider reading the related blogs:

• Calcium After Gastric Bypass
• vitamin b6 and b12 for weight loss

**This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.