What You Need in a Good Gastric Bypass Supplement

The way you must eat changes dramatically after weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass supplements are specially formulated for individuals who have had bariatric surgery because these patients must take special supplements for the rest of their lives to maintain proper nutrition.

The fact is most supplement products on the market aren’t made properly for bariatric patients–even the ones that claim to be. We at Bariatric Vitamins 4 Life have found only one brand that addresses our unique digestive concerns and uses special concentrations of ingredients to maintain health after surgery.

They also come in a fast dissolving formula that reduces waste and maximizes absorption to the body. These supplements address common problems after surgery like protein, calcium and iron deficiency.

Addressing Malabsorption

After weight loss surgery, malabsorption of nutrients is a major problem and requires a patient to remain on special supplements for the rest of their lives. Without supplements, these vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body can lead to hair loss, broken bones, chronic fatigue and dizziness, nerve damage, tingling in the hands and low blood count.

Bariatric patients are usually monitored on supplements every six months to ensure they are maintaining proper mineral and vitamin levels in their blood.

Avoiding Filler Products

Good gastric bypass supplements vary from other brands on the market in a few important ways. One major problem for most brands is is the filler content, which may be as high a 25%. Fillers are used to give a product size, flavor or even hold it together, but these fillers can prevent absorption by bariatric patients–even the chewy, tasty kind!

Supplements for gastric bypass patients are highly specialized and concentrated to avoid common nutritional problems after surgery. They are made with little to no filler and contain high levels of necessary ingredients to support the patient’s health, such as vitamin D, boron, calcium, iron and more.

The importance of a good bypass supplement can’t be stressed enough so it’s important to select a high-quality, specialty multi-vitamin to ensure good nutrition after the bypass.

Why Gastric Bypass Supplements

After any type of weight loss surgery, you may no longer be able to eat enough food to maintain proper nutrition. High quality gastric bypass supplements can help bridge the gap and help you maintain optimal health.

Why Children’s Chewables are Bad for Your Post Gastric Bypass Diet

When your stomach can only hold small quantities of food, it’s hard to get all of the vitamins and minerals that you need.

Many doctors recommend children’s vitamins because they are readily available. But children’s vitamins are formulated for children and are not intended for grown adults, let alone gastric bypass surgery patients who have supplement needs that differ from the general public.

Many children’s vitamins also have sugars and carbohydrates. Given how much those need to be limited after weight loss surgery, you don’t really want to “waste them” on chewable children’s vitamins.

High Quality Bariatric Vitamins

High quality vitamins designed for weight loss surgery patients should not contain any fillers. Fillers impede the absorption of vitamins.

The word “filler” might sound like it’s filling to your stomach. But in fact, fillers are either inert or they are actually detrimental because they contain things to make the vitamin taste good – things like sugar!

Worst of all, fillers can hamper the way your stomach now takes in nutrients. Malabsorption is a serious condition—especially when your hair or teeth begin to fall out!Fillers are junk and a high quality bariatric vitamin won’t contain any fillers.

Cheaper vitamins may not be as easily absorbed by your body. Gastric bypass surgery patients have even more refined needs as they can suffer from malabsorption syndrome. Vitamins and minerals can come in different chemical forms and from different sources, and they are not created equally.

When choosing gastric bypass supplements, make sure that you are buying from a reputable company and that you are getting vitamins that are specifically formulated for your special dietary needs.

Lifestyle Modification after Bariatric Surgery

You’ve already been told you will be making major changes in the way you eat and live. But has anyone talked to you about your nutrition? 

The first step and the most important step on the journey to getting fit is which bariatric vitamins you will be taking. This may seem like a nonissue but it is something that will keep you alive. Sound dramatic? Read on. 

Your new diet, while healthy and nutritious, will be lacking some things. You’re going on a high protein/low simple carb diet. That may sound like the Atkins diet, but it’s far from it. Your protein is going to come from a variety of sources, not just meat. 

Your carbohydrate intake should be from vegetables and not grain. Water should be used for hydration, not soda pop and sugary drinks. In short, yes it may be a little like the Atkins diet, but you will not be endlessly eating and you won’t be heading into ketosis. Let’s talk vitamins.

The Best Bariatric Vitamins

When it comes to bariatric vitamins, you need to know a few things. First, you need to steer clear of chewable or liquid supplements. Why is this? 

There are unneeded fillers to stabilize the product and give it a nice taste. Usually these are sugars and starches. These additives diminish the effectiveness of the vitamins themselves. That’s right-you are getting less nutrients for more money! 

Choose bariatric vitamins that are in capsule form. Make sure that they dissolve easily; this is an easy thing to test. Any vitamin should dissolve in a glass of water in five minutes. It takes this long for a pill to get through digestion in the stomach and be fully absorbed in the intestinal tract. Any vitamin that doesn’t do this is not worth the money you pay for it.

Your body will need a quality supplement that will provide all the vital nutrients and minerals to preserve good health. Here are a few things to consider before you decide on a bariatric vitamin. 

Bariatric Supplements – What They Don’t Want You to Know

Not all vitamins are created equal. In the world of bariatric supplements, more isn’t always better. In fact the longer the ingredient list, the less effective the vitamins will be. How is this so? 

Vitamins and minerals are bitter to the taste, which is why supplement producers usually add flavored fillers to their vitamins.  Unfortunately, these fillers hinder absorption even in average stomachs.  Stomachs that have had gastric bypass procedures tend to have even more absorption problems. 

There are many bariatric supplements where non-nutritive additives make up over half of their contents. Junk ingredients hinder the effectiveness of any supplements. When you use vitamins like these you are literally flushing your money down the toilet! 

How to Find the Best Gastric Bypass Supplements for Your Health

What bariatric supplements are the best for health? Ingredients should be simple, composed of only the vitamins and minerals, and nothing else. This means the vitamins you choose should be in a gelatinized capsule that easily dissolves. An easy test for this is to place your vitamins in a glass of warm water, or touch it to the tip of your tongue.

 A potent supplement should dissolve completely in water in five minutes or less.  This mimics the amount of time it takes for the digestive process to breakdown supplements for maximum absorption in the intestinal tract. If your supplement takes longer than this to dissolve, then ditch it.

Allergens in Gastric Bypass Vitamins

Aside from simple ingredients and easy to dissolve gelatin capsules, your bariatric supplement should be free of allergens such as corn, wheat, and other glutens. Because of the nature of gastric bypass surgery, your vitamins should be complete including all of the B vitamins and Biotin which work in concert to aid in the rejuvenation of cells.  

Combining your vitamins with a digestive enzyme complex will also make sure you are receiving the maximum amount of nutrients from your supplements. Choosing supplements that work with your body in a holistic way will keep you on the track to a healthier and happier life with increased longevity and vitality.