Bariatric fusion multivitamin with iron is formulated to support your daily nutritional needs after bariatric surgery. It is a specialised multivitamin. This article is written to explain why such multivitamins are available in the market and what role they play in someone’s life who has undergone bariatric surgery.
Note: We do not intend to promote a supplement. This article is for educational purposes only.
How did we prepare this article?
We referred to the following sources for this article:
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Do specialized bariatric multivitamins lower deficiencies after RYGB? A study published in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases.
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Iron Deficiency After Gastric Bypass Surgery. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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Iron Deficiency – Not Only a Premenopausal Topic After Bariatric Surgery? Published in Obesity Journal.
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Nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity often cannot be prevented by standard multivitamin supplementation published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
We extracted specific questions and answers from these research studies that a user might have while starting bariatric multivitamins.
Bariatric surgery, nutrient deficiency and specialised multivitamins: The connection
After bariatric surgery, the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, and iron, increases. A study was conducted in a large specialised bariatric hospital to determine the effectiveness of a specialised multivitamin supplement for patients undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
The results were compared between users and non-users of specialised bariatric multivitamins.
The study concluded that the use of specialised multivitamin supplements is associated with fewer nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid, and ferritin.
Is iron deficiency common after bariatric surgery, and why choose a bariatric multivitamin with iron?
Yes, iron deficiency is very common after gastric bypass surgery. Even multivitamin and mineral supplements in high doses may be insufficient to prevent iron deficiency.
Iron is absorbed in the first part of your small intestine (duodenum), but after gastric surgery, food bypasses the duodenum, leading to iron deficiency and other nutritional problems.
A study included 283 patients (130 premenopausal women, 82 postmenopausal women, and 71 men) who underwent bariatric surgery. The iron status of the three groups was compared. Serum ferritin concentration was compared. Despite iron supplementation in these patients, iron deficiency remains common. Though deficiency is less common in men.
Iron overload was rarely reported. Women before and after menopause do not differ in their prevalence of iron deficiency. Adapted dosage regimens should be established based on the sex and the age, the study concluded.
Some studies have highlighted that iron deficiency after weight loss surgery is more common in menstruating women.
Bariatric-specific multivitamins are often recommended because they contain higher levels of nutrients required after surgery. Standard multivitamins have insufficient iron that cannot prevent anemia so bariatric vitamin supplements are available with iron to provide sufficient iron.
To manage this, healthcare provider prescribe iron with other supplements or one per day bariatric multivitamin with Iron. It is important to follow as your doctor says because they may recommend a certain type of iron that could be absorbed better after surgery.
How nutrient needs are determined?
Doctors recommend blood tests before weight-loss surgery to check for vitamin or mineral deficiencies like low levels of iron, vitamin B-12, or folate. If any deficiencies are detected, they are managed before surgery to improve results after surgery.
After surgery, iron and other nutrients are monitored frequently or every 6 months or atleast once a year.
You should also have a complete blood count test.
People's perspectives: Are specialised multivitamins necessary?
We found a study stating that supplements tailored for patients after bariatric surgery are prescribed at discharge. These supplements contain up to 70 mg of elemental iron.
In the aftercare period, the intake depends on many factors, including the patient’s preferences.
The same study also mentioned that despite the recommendation of a specialised multivitamin, the mean iron intake was lower during follow-up.
Specialised bariatric surgery multivitamin vs standard multivitamins
The patients preferred standard multivitamin and mineral supplements due to the possibility of the following reasons:
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The exclusive availability through online markets
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and the greater costs
Standard multivitamins may contain iron up to 21 mg, insufficient to preventiron deficiency, whereas specialised supplements for bariatric surgery contain 70 mg of elemental iron.
Patients who take these supplements are reported to have a higher mean serum ferritin concentration than those taking standard supplements or no multivitamins.
Another study mentioned that two years after bariatric surgery, there may be need for specific supplements like vitamin B-12, iron, calcium + vitamin D, and folic acid. So careful postoperative follow-up is indicated to detect and treat those deficiencies.
Challenges with standard multivitamin supplements
The points summarised below explain standard vs bariatric supplements.
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A single pill per day will not meet the needs of many patients
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taking several pills a day raises the problem of adherence to treatment
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The cost of treatment can be another barrier to adequate compliance. The patient have to spend every month for his/her supplements that may impair compliance as health insurance companies do not cover these costs.
What do Dr Aditi have to say about these supplements?
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Regular consultations and routine investigations are a must after bariatric surgery.
When it comes to supplements, always take the one that is recommended by your healthcare provider. It has proper nutrient composition and iron dosage you need after bariatric surgery.
Final words
If you have undergone bariatric surgery, you should know that dietary changes alone are insufficient to manage nutrient deficiencies, so talk with your healthcare provider to find the right supplement plan for you. There are bariatric supplements with iron available. You may discuss further with your healthcare provider.
FAQ
1. What are the symptoms of iron deficiency after bariatric surgery?
Tiredness, weakness, headache, hair, skin and nail changes (hair loss, brittle nails) are the symptoms of iron deficiency after bariatric surgery.
2. Are there options of affordable bariatric vitamins available?
You should always follow what your doctor recommends as they prioritise proper composition of the supplement with iron dosage and high-quality supplements.
3. How much iron does the bariatric fusion multivitamin with iron contain?
This supplement has 45 mg of iron.
References:
Schijns W, Schuurman LT, Melse-Boonstra A, van Laarhoven CJHM, Berends FJ, Aarts EO. Do specialized bariatric multivitamins lower deficiencies after RYGB? Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018 Jul;14(7):1005-1012. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2018.03.029. Epub 2018 Apr 3. PMID: 29903686. (Source)
Kunst I, Krebs M, Dreschl B, Prager G, Meyer E, Kautzky-Willer A, Ranzenberger-Haider T. Iron Deficiency - Not Only a Premenopausal Topic After Bariatric Surgery? Obes Surg. 2021 Jul;31(7):3242-3250. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05380-3. Epub 2021 Apr 5. PMID: 33821393; PMCID: PMC8175328.
Gasteyger, C., Suter, M., Gaillard, R. C., & Giusti, V. (2008). Nutritional deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity often cannot be prevented by standard multivitamin supplementation. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 87(5), 1128–1133. (Source)
