Are you taking your vitamin and mineral supplements every day? You are the only one who can honestly answer this question and over time, your body will show it. This must become a part of your life that is not skipped or followed carelessly. A patient who has had restrictive/ malabsorptive surgery is at nutritional risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies particularly thiamin, vitamin B-12, folate, calcium and iron. Pre-operative nutrition education places emphasis on understanding your new anatomy, and the importance of appropriate food intake and vitamin/mineral supplementation. Guidelines are provided for the type, amounts and timing of your vitamin and mineral regimen which are needed to decrease the risk of deficiencies and maximize health.

At U.S. Bariatric Fort Lauderdale, a research study was conducted with post-surgical gastric bypass patients to determine the influence of age on vitamin/mineral status. The study was of particular interest because aging is often associated with reduced vitamin and mineral absorption. Therefore, the hypothesis was that older bariatric patients may be at a higher risk for deficiencies. Each patient self reported their vitamin and mineral compliance and had laboratory tests performed to assess their nutritional status. The results showed the opposite of what was hypothesized, that younger bariatric patients have more vitamin and mineral deficiencies than do older patients. The study further showed that the vitamin and mineral deficiencies of the younger patients were directly the result of their noncompliance in taking vitamin/mineral supplements. Nearly all the older(ages 51 to 75 years) bariatric patients were taking vitamin/mineral supplements daily, as compared to only 23% of younger patients (ages 18 to 30 years). The conclusion of the study was that age is NOT a significant determinant of post-surgical vitamin and mineral deficiencies with gastric bypass surgery but instead vitamin and mineral compliance was more of a determinant. Does this suggest older is wiser????

Food intake should focus on the importance of maximizing nutrition with minimal volume. Consuming adequate protein, dairy foods and a variety of fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and healthful fats is important to provide your body with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Bariatric surgery patients that have malabsorptive procedures are unable to meet nutritional needs from food alone. If you skip your vitamin and mineral supplements, you are putting yourself at risk for osteoporosis, anemia, and serious permanent neurological damage. Remember you will always be at nutritional risk even when you have reached your goal weight. Therefore, vitamin and mineral supplementation is key to optimal health for life and it is your responsibility to remember to take them daily.