Post Surgical Bariatric Diet

Since vitamins and minerals are so important to overall health, getting the right ones is a must. That can be challenging for someone who, to date, may not have paid close attention to health and nutrition. For many patients, absorbing adequate amounts of Iron, Vitamin B12, Calcium and Vitamin D can be particularly difficult.

Protein is needed for all sorts of vital metabolic processes. Whether the source is animal or vegetable, proteins are broken down in digestion into amino acids, which then form the buildings blocks for new proteins. Those internally synthesized proteins are used to build cells and muscle tissue, and for many other essential needs.

But inadequate consumption isn't the only potential problem. Several types of procedure affect the amount of nutrient the body absorbs. Reducing that part of the 'equation' can have the same effects discussed above.

The risk is at a maximum for the first days and weeks after surgery when the patient will be on a strictly liquid diet. Fortunately, it's not that hard to get enough protein from liquids, provided the patient strictly follows the guidelines the nutritionist and/or physician laid out during pre-op consultations.