Iron deficiency is reported to affect up to 48% of Bariatric Surgery patients within the first 12 months after their procedure. The effects of iron deficiency are seen in Gastric Sleeve patients as well as those who have undergone Gastric Bypass surgery.
The effects of iron deficiency anemia present as fatigue, memory loss or brain fog, muscle aches, and pains, disrupted sleep, shortness of breath, and perhaps dizziness or fainting. Iron deficiency can present before surgery due to the malabsorptive effect of morbid obesity or simply lack of iron-rich foods in the diet. Nutritional deficiencies present for many reasons, before and after surgery, and ensuring that your nutritional levels in your blood test reports are the best they can be before surgery is key.
After surgery, Iron supplements may be required alongside your Bariatric Multivitamin to boost iron levels if you start your journey at the lower end of the range.
After surgery, iron absorption is affected for life by the removal of the acid needed to assist in the absorption of iron, so close monitoring of your bloods is important to watch that your levels are not quietly diminishing in the background. Prevention of deficiency is key - because playing catch up is expensive, time-consuming and generally avoidable..
The American Society of Metabolic Surgeons determined that gastric sleeve and bypass patients require up to 60mg iron supplementation daily. This is important for menstruating women and those who have heavy periods may need even more. Iron dosage should be determined by your practitioner and will be based on your blood test results.
Vitamin B deficiency will also impede the body's ability to store and use iron, as this.group of vitamins are synergistic and need to be present for iron to do its job.
Vitamin C is a key to iron absorption also, and taking vitamin C or eating foods rich in vitamin C with iron supplements is recommended.
After sleeve gastrectomy or bypass, the treatment for chronic or advanced iron deficiency anaemia may be treated with an iron infusion, performed at your doctor's surgery. This will generally increase iron levels to acceptable levels, but is not recommended as a regular solution to deficiencies - prevention is better than regular infusions as high levels of iron can be a lot for the body to manage on a regular basis.
Can gastric sleeve cause anaemia?
Yes, After Gastric Sleeve, due to lower levels of stomach acid, iron absorption is significantly reduced and supplemental iron should be taken daily for life, based on blood test results.
How much iron do I need after a gastric sleeve?
ASBMS recommendation is 60mg of supplemental iron daily - but your practitioner will advise on your specific needs.
Your Bariatric Multi is formulated to MAINTAIN the current level of iron - so if there is a deficiency, additional iron will need to be added if there is deficiency present.
What vitamins should I take after gastric sleeve?
After any form of weight loss surgery, a specific Bariatric Formulation is required, due to the increased needs for certain nutrients brought about by the surgery, and the limits on food intake.
A general Multivitamin does not have enough of these specific nutrients to meet your needs - it may look like a cheaper option, but the catch-up and doctors visits will soon negate any savings you made if deficiency sets in.