Will I Still Absorb Nutrients The Same Way After Lap-Band Surgery?

You may have heard that one of the more common side effects patients experience after gastric bypass surgery is vitamin or mineral deficiency. It’s true that close to 30% of all gastric bypass patients experience some form of nutritional deficiency like osteoporosis, anemia or metabolic bone disease. This risk is addressed by taking gastric bypass vitamins. If this happens with gastric bypass patients, you may be wondering if it also occurs with laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (or lap-band) patients.

Malabsorption and Why It Occurs

One of the goals achieved in gastric bypass surgery is malabsorption. Malabsorption is the digestive system’s diminished ability to absorb calories contained in the foods we eat. By bypassing a large portion of the stomach and a section of the small intestine, the surgery makes it possible for some of the calories to pass through the digestive system without getting absorbed into the body. This is one of the reasons why gastric bypass patients generally achieve more rapid weight loss than patients who have had the gastric band procedure.

While fewer calories are being absorbed, the same holds true with the food’s nutritional content: fewer of the vitamins and minerals get absorbed, passing through the digestive system.

Malabsorption and the Lap-Band

Since the laparoscopic adjustable band procedure does not surgically alter your digestive tract, it’s ability to absorb nutrients remains unaffected. Your body will be able to assimilate all the vitamins, minerals and calories found in the foods you eat just as before.

That being said, it does not entirely rule out the possibility of nutritional deficiencies in gastric band patients. It’s very important to remember that after the surgery, you will be able to eat far less food than you can now. That means your food choices will be extremely important to ensure they deliver all the nutrients your body needs.

Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle Post-Surgery

We work with all our patients following their surgery, no matter which procedure they have opted for; to make sure they have a healthy and successful experience post-surgery. The key to that health and success is the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. Dietary and eating habits must be altered. Our on-staff nutritionist helps patients come up with a new, nutritional diet that promotes ongoing weight loss while still providing the body with all the vitamins and minerals needed to keep your organs in top working order.

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I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

5.0

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

5.0

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

5.0

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

I feel like a completely different person.

5.0

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

It saved my life.

5.0

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

5.0

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.