Calcium Supplementation Post Bariatric Surgery

One of the biggest contributing factors leading to obesity in patients is due to low calcium intake. So, what are the best practices when it comes to calcium supplementation post bariatric surgery?

What is Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery refers to the many surgical methods available for eligible patients to control their weight through medical intervention.

Most surgeries limit the amount of food that can be consumed comfortably by the patient to help aid in weight loss and weight maintenance following surgery.

What Does Calcium Do for the Body?

Calcium helps to aid fecal fat excretion and even works to help control the core body temperature.

However, dietary calcium products are believed to offer more benefits for the body than supplements.

Calcium is an essential ingredient for the growth and health of your body and directly helps your teeth, bones, muscles, nervous system, hormone secretion, and more.

Calcium Supplementation Post Bariatric Surgery

If you are undergoing bariatric surgery or are in the recovery process currently your doctor will likely recommend calcium supplements to aid in your recovery.

After all, following weight loss surgery your body is not able to absorb calcium the same way it could have before surgery.

In fact, calcium deficiency is shown to develop in almost half of malabsorptive bariatric surgery patients.

It is important to get calcium from your foods whenever possible to help relieve certain vitamin deficiencies and to help facilitate healthy digestion.

Chewable tablets and syrups are generally absorbed faster by the body.

What Time of Day Should I Take Calcium Supplements?

You can take calcium citrate supplements at any point during the day for great results.

What is the Best Calcium Supplement After Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery patients can benefit from taking calcium citrate supplements as they can be taken without food.

This can be taken in chewable or liquid form but is well tolerated as a tablet for most patients.

Many patients enjoy the power mixed with a light yogurt or along with soy or whey powder.

Calcium Balance After Weight Loss Surgery

Following weight loss surgery, it is not uncommon for there to be an increase in the PTH hormone in the body.

This may lead to the thyroid gland being compromised from maintaining calcium balance in the body.

For this reason, doctors always recommend calcium supplementation soon after surgery in order to counteract this phenomenon.

Great Sources of Calcium After Weight Loss Surgery

When looking for food rich in calcium following your surgery you have an abundance of options.

Believe it or not one of the best ways to get your daily calcium box ticked is to consume blended kale which tastes great in a smoothie or soup.

Milk and low fat dairy products are the obvious choices, but you can also find a ton of calcium in leafy greens such as spinach, mustard, and collard greens.

Celery, broccoli, sesame seeds, and even cabbage are also excellent sources of calcium.

How much Calcium Do I Need in One Day?

Most doctors recommend a daily regimen of 2500mg of calcium per day for a healthy life. This can come in a combination of calcium-rich food and calcium supplements.

Does Cooking Affect Calcium Nutrients in Food?

The great news is that calcium levels are not affected when food is cooked.

Weight Loss Surgery Experts Near You

If you are interested in entrusting your health with a weight loss surgeon you will want to find a practice that is wholly committed to improving your health by offering dietician and physician services to help you on your journey before, during, and after your surgery.

Call Thrive Surgery today to learn more about your surgical options along with post surgical recommendations from our team of trusted professionals, 540-347-2805.

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