While foods are the best sources of vitamins and minerals, sometimes it is difficult to get everything your body needs into your diet. This is especially true for those who have undergone bariatric surgery. Because not everyone is able to get all of the nutrition needed from their diet, medical research has found that taking vitamins after bariatric surgery is essential for the body to maintain a healthy balance.
Bariatric surgery dramatically decreases the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients and/or restricts the amount of food you can consume. This results in malnutrition, or vitamin and mineral deficiencies, that can be detrimental to your health.
Post-op patients need bariatric surgery vitamins and minerals so that their bodies can heal properly. They also regulate the metabolism and help convert calories into energy. Unlike carbohydrates, protein, and fat, vitamins and minerals are only needed in small doses.