Undergoing bariatric surgery is a lot on your body, so ensuring you do everything you can do to stay healthy and strong is important. While staying active and eating healthy after surgery is key to weight loss and maintaining optimal health, vitamin intake is also just as important. In fact, bariatric patients will need to take bariatric vitamins and mineral supplements for the rest of their lives to ensure they are getting what their body needs daily. But how much vitamin D should a bariatric patient take?
Chewable and liquid forms of vitamins are recommended for the first six months after surgery, as they are easier to digest and better tolerated for bariatric patients. However, capsules are fine as well as long as you tolerate them.
How Much Vitamin D Should a Bariatric Patient Take?
Vitamin D3 is one of the most important vitamins you can take following surgery. Bariatric patients should take at least 400-800 IU of Vitamin D3 daily. Note: if there is Vitamin D in your bariatric multivitamin, you may not need to take a separate supplement. Talk to your team at WeightWise to make sure you are taking the right dosage.
Finding the right bariatric multivitamin is also key. Talk to your dietitian about which ones are best. You may also need to take an additional iron, calcium citrate, and various b vitamins to decrease your risk of developing vitamin deficiencies after surgery.
Why are vitamins important for bariatric patients?
After bariatric surgery, your body will not be taking in as much food in comparison to pre-surgery. This can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals due to a lack of physical intake. Those with a vitamin d deficiency may experience fatigue, muscle weakness, and mood changes. Therefore, taking daily doses of these to make up for what has been lost in your food intake is critical to your energy level and long-term health.
Your medical team at WeightWise will make sure you are getting the maximum absorption of nutrients after surgery and will ensure you have a nutrition and vitamin plan to adhere to. This will help your body recover well from surgery and help set you up for success in your weight loss journey. For a wide variety of bariatric-approved vitamins, check out our store here.
Wondering if you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery? Contact our experienced team today at WeightWise to learn more.