Once you start to get informed about bariatric
procedures, you might have some doubts related with the follow-up care after
surgery. As a big recommendation, no matter which doctor or surgeon you choose,
its crucial to follow his/her guidelines as prescribed; there’s a reason why
they are providing you a special diet and instructions to follow, so every time
you think about changing an element of your post-op care, please get in contact
with you main physician or surgeon.
To talk about malnutrition, we need to establish what
this is all about… This condition occurs due the lack of macronutrients
(Calorie intake from protein, carbs or fat) and/or micronutrients (Vitamins and
minerals). The effects of malnutrition range from unnoticeable to severe,
affecting your weight loss goals and mostly important, your health.
Saying this, we share you the most common signs to
identify malnutrition; fatigue, apathy, weakness, dry skin, losing hair, changes
on your fingernails, dry eyes, bleeding gums or poor wound healing. (This may
vary by the type of malnutrition)
Prevention – Malnutrition after weight loss surgery
Prevention is
the key! You don’t have to wait for signs to start doing something about it; in
fact you should take very serious your daily food and vitamin intake, especially
during a major weight loss phase... First, stick to
a diet rich in high nutrient foods, this means eating from 5-6 times a day,
fruits, vegetables and ample lean protein, avoiding empty calories from
processed food, sugar and beverages. (That you don’t feel hunger doesn’t mean
that you don’t have to eat, your body needs enough energy to keep functioning
properly).
Second, add supplements
to your daily diet! These may be prescribed by your doctor, if not, get some
extra help and visit a local pharmacy or shop where vitamins are sold, and
choose a presentation that works better for you personal needs and lifestyle.
According to
the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, supplements during
the next month’s post-surgery should include:
- Vitamin B12
- 45-60 mg of Iron supplement
- 1-2 adult multivitamins with minerals containing iron, folic acid, and thiamine.
- 1200 to 1500 mg of elemental calcium from the diet and supplements.
- At least 3000 international units of vitamin D
And third, but not least
important; blood work! It’s very important to monitor your health and realize a
blood/lab test every 6 months after bariatric surgery. This is in order to check
your health and take better decisions to continue with a healthy weight loss
and lifestyle.
In
conclusion, having weight loss surgery is not going to cause a malnutrition
problem to the patient… skipping meals, eating the wrong food and not taking
vitamins its what can lead you to this health condition, even though you have
or haven’t went trough bariatric surgery. Understanding the
risk of malnutrition, taking steps to prevent and acting quickly when signs of
malnutrition appears, can mean a substantial improvement on healthy and long-term
weight loss.
If you have any more
questions or doubts, please contact us at 1 888 349 4769
Long Term WLS – Weight loss surgery in Tijuana Mexico
