by Ahsan Bhatti, MD
Bariatric surgery can help you achieve your weight loss dreams, but because the surgery is restrictive or malabsorptive by nature, it’s not uncommon for patients to suffer from nutritional deficiencies during their recovery. These nutritional deficiencies can cause problems for your body and your overall health, so it’s important to be aware of the potential issues and take steps to prevent them. In today’s blog, we share some tips for preventing nutritional deficiencies after weight loss surgery.
Nutritional Deficiencies After Weight Loss Surgery
All weight loss surgeries work in part by limiting how much food you consume, but others also reroute your digestive system, meaning that nutrients don’t have as much time to be broken down and absorbed by the body. This combination can make it harder for your body to get and consume essential nutrients that are vital for certain bodily functions. Some of the most common nutrient deficiencies following bariatric surgery are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B (B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, B12)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Calcium
- Iron
- Copper
- Zinc
Being deficient in any of these nutrients can cause issues for your body. These deficiencies can affect your vision, your blood pressure, your cognition, your immune response and more, so it’s imperative that you work to increase your nutrient intake following weight loss surgery. But what are some of the best ways to do that?
Improving Nutritional Intake After Weight Loss Surgery
It’s not all that hard to improve your nutritional intake after weight loss surgery if you are mindful and proactive in your approach to your diet. Here are some ways to ensure your body has access to the nutrients it needs after weight loss surgery.
- Vary Your Diet – Because you are not going to be eating as much as you used to, it’s imperative that you make these food choices count. Reach for whole grains, fresh fruits and nutrient-dense vegetables during meals and for snacks. You need to be more cognizant of hitting all of the important food groups when you’re eating less.
- Work With Your Surgeon – Your surgeon will likely talk with you about a revamped nutritional approach after your procedure, but it’s important that you stick with their advice and reach out if you have any questions. Many of our procedures include consults with dieticians to help keep your weight loss goals moving in the right direction, but these appointments are also a great time to talk about improving your nutrient intake.
- Supplementation – We hope that you can get all of your daily nutrients from food sources, but if you’re finding that difficult, talk to your doctor about supplementation. There are an array of nutrient supplements that can help you hit your daily targets, but don’t lean on these as your primary form of nutrient intake. See these as a supplement to a healthy diet, not a substitute for a healthy diet.
- Meal Plan – It’s easier to make sure that you get all of the key nutrients in your diet if you plan ahead and know what foods you’ll be eating throughout the day. Do some meal planning each day or prior to the start of each week so that you can start to map out your nutrient consumption.
- Find Some Nutrient-Dense Options You Enjoy – Find some nutrient-dense foods and drinks that can make it easier to get a bunch of different nutrients at once. Blend up some fruits and veggies in a tasty smoothie, or opt for a power bowl full of a bunch of different nuts, seeds and whole grains. Odds are you can find a couple foods that you enjoy that are packed with healthy nutrients.
Keep these tips in mind, and your body will have access to the nutrients it needs to fuel itself and your weight loss journey! For more information, or for help with a different weight loss issue, reach out to the team at Bhatti Weight Loss Center today at (952) 368-3800.