Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that comes with changes in your lifestyle, especially your diet. Due to appetite changes post-surgery, vitamin deficiencies are common, which may lead you to wonder whether gummy vitamins after bariatric surgery are a good idea.
What Makes Gummy Vitamins Appealing for Bariatric Patients?
Bariatric surgery involves alterations in your digestive organs, ensuring you feel fuller faster by reducing your appetite and food intake. On the downside, this may put you at risk of vitamin deficiencies. Some medicines are also known to interfere with the absorption of vital elements, which makes gummy vitamins quite appealing to patients.
For starters, what are gummy vitamins? These special chewy candies contain vitamins B and C, folic acid, and other water-soluble nutrients. They come in various shapes, colors, sizes, and flavors and are easy to consume, especially for people who have a hard time swallowing pills. Generally, they are safe to eat but are not recommended for people with celiac disease and bariatric surgery patients.
Why Gummy Vitamins Are a Bad Idea After Bariatric Surgery?
Your body needs vitamins after weight loss surgery, especially after a bariatric procedure when your appetite is reduced and you consume fewer calories. Although gummy vitamins for bariatric patients sound enticing, experts strongly advise against them. Here’s why.
High sugar content
One of the main reasons why you should avoid gummies is because they have high sugar levels. This means that the calories are too high, which is the last thing you want after surgery because of the counterproductive effects on your body.
Absorption issues
Another concern with vitamin gummies is that they are not easily absorbed into the body. Now imagine how hard it will be to benefit from them if you are a bariatric patient whose digestive system is now altered.
Low nutrient content
Gummies lack fortification with the nutrients you need as a bariatric patient. Many lack iron, calcium, iodine, chromium, and selenium, which are crucial for patients to maintain their health after surgery. These chewables also contain unnecessary preservatives and sugars the body doesn’t need.
Dental issues
Dentists worldwide advocate against excessive sugar and sweets because of the dangers they pose to your dental health. Gummy vitamins are not recommended, considering how they cling to your teeth and increase the chances of cavities. So, apart from your digestive health, vitamin gummies are also bad for your teeth.
Speak to a Professional
New York bariatric surgery professionals from Lenox Hill Hospital will tell you the dos and don’ts after bariatric surgery. You need all the nutrients you can get after the procedure, and there are better vitamin alternatives than gummies that will help you get back on track to lead a normal, healthy life.
FAQs
Why No Gummy Vitamins after Bariatric Surgery? You'll want to avoid purchasing gummy-textured multivitamins, because they do not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to support your post‑surgery dietary needs.
Why can't bariatric patients take gummy vitamins? ›
Why No Gummy Vitamins after Bariatric Surgery? You'll want to avoid purchasing gummy-textured multivitamins, because they do not contain the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals to support your post‑surgery dietary needs.
Why are gummy vitamins not as effective? ›
Gummy vitamins are designed to be a more palatable (read: sweeter) alternative to regular vitamins in the hopes that people will be more inclined to take them. But when it comes to health benefits, they're nowhere near a 1:1 swap. “Gummy vitamins actually have fewer vitamins and minerals than regular vitamins,” Dr.
What happens if you don't take vitamins after gastric bypass? ›
Malnutrition is a serious complication of bariatric surgery. If you do not take your supplements you risk the following: Anaemia. Poor bone health and osteoporosis.
Which vitamin is often poorly absorbed after gastric bypass surgery? ›
According to the most recent reviews, bariatric surgery patients are commonly at risk for deficiencies of water-soluble vitamins B12, B1, folate and C; fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; and the minerals iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium and copper.
What is the best vitamin to take after bariatric surgery? ›
Vitamin Recommendations for Patients
Gastric Bypass: Doctors recommend that gastric bypass surgery patients take a complete multivitamin, calcium with Vitamin D, iron and Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12.
Are gummy vitamins bad for your stomach? ›
Even if your gummy vitamins are sugar-free, they likely contain other sweeteners, such as high-sugar fruit juice or sugar alcohols, which can cause unpleasant digestive issues.
Do gummy vitamins absorb faster than pills? ›
Studies show that if a gummy vitamin and a vitamin pill have the same amount of a vitamin, they are equally absorbed into the bloodstream.
Do gummy vitamins really do anything or are they just candy? ›
Yes, gummy vitamins taste great, and yes, they have that candy-like texture, but that doesn't diminish their nutritional value. The truth is that gummy vitamins are packed with essential vitamins and minerals needed to fill in nutritional gaps, just like their conventional counterparts.
Are there things you can never eat again after gastric bypass? ›
Red meat that's tough or dry. Greasy, high fat foods. Heavily seasoned or spicy foods. Sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
The most common clinically relevant micronutrient deficiencies after gastric bypass include thiamine, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, iron, and copper.
How do you absorb vitamins after gastric bypass? ›
Shortly after surgery, you will begin with chewable or liquid forms of vitamins and minerals. Eventually, about 1 month later, you can progress to supplement tablets if tolerated or preferred. In the beginning, your stomach can be sensitive to supplements, which can cause nausea.
Can gastric bypass patients take gummy vitamins? ›
Vitamins need to be chewable or liquid for the first several months after surgery. Choose a chewable complete multivitamin with iron, and avoid gummy vitamins and vitamin skin patches. If you choose an over-the-counter multivitamin, take one serving in the morning and one serving at bedtime.
What are red flags after bariatric surgery? ›
More than one episode of abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating followed by diarrhea warrants a prompt appointment with a bariatric surgeon. Complete blockage/obstruction of the bowel are characterized by nausea, cramps, bloating, and vomiting but NO passage of gas or diarrhea.
What happens if you don't get enough protein after bariatric surgery? ›
Without an adequate amount of proteins in the diet, the body can begin to show signs of a deficit. Increased Hunger: Cravings and poor food choices can be accelerated with irregular eating patterns and skipping meals. Unlike carbohydrates which provide the body with quick energy, proteins take longer to digest.
Can bariatric patients take softgels? ›
Capsule, chewable and liquid medications can be taken immediately after surgery, but tablet medications need to be broken up or crushed for the first three months. This prevents medications from getting stuck in the digestive tract or not being fully absorbed.
Are liquid vitamins better for bariatric patients? ›
With a liquid form, these vitamins are easier for your body to absorb, ensuring that you receive the essential nutrients needed for optimal health. This is particularly crucial after weight loss surgery when nutrient absorption can be compromised.
What's the difference between bariatric vitamins and regular vitamins? ›
Bariatric-specific pills are better absorbed as these contain bariatric friendly salts, cause less irritation to your stomach and intestines, and help prevent vitamin deficiencies better than OTC multivitamins.
Can you take Flintstone vitamins after bariatric surgery? ›
For bariatric surgery patients, it is not only important to get each of the necessary vitamins and minerals, but also to have the right amounts. You need high amounts of some of the vitamins and minerals, and Flintstones chewables simply do not deliver.
