Losing More Than You Wanted: What You Can Do About Duodenal Switch Surgery And Vitamin Deficiency
Understanding How Duodenal Switch Surgery Works
A duodenal switch operation restricts the size of the stomach and rearranges the small intestine. Together, these two procedures restrict the amount of food that you eat and then the amount of calories that your body absorbs from that food. After a duodenal switch surgery, you will notice that you feel full sooner and will eat less. Under the surface, your small intestine is unable to maximize the caloric absorption of that food, resulting in an even larger caloric deficit than would result from merely eating less. This results in rapid weight loss.
Unfortunately, many people who undergo duodenal switch surgery suffer from vitamin deficiencies, but this need not be the case. Here is a look into why this procedure can result in a vitamin deficiency, and what vitamins should be supplemented with your doctor's monitoring.
Why Duodenal Switch Surgery May Result in Vitamin Deficiencies
Duodenal switch surgery works so well because it severely restricts the amount of calories that your body consumes. As a result, it also restricts the amount of healthy, necessary vitamins that your body absorbs. Your body needs vitamins to survive, and it relies on different vitamins to accomplish different tasks.
Potential Vitamin Deficiencies You May Experience After Duodenal Switch Surgery
Talk to your doctor about the potential vitamin deficiencies that may result from your duodenal switch surgery. Many vitamins are water-soluble, which means that your body flushes out what it does not need. Other vitamins are fat-soluble; if you supplement your diet with more fat-soluble vitamins than your body needs, the unused amount will accumulate in your liver. The four fat-soluble vitamins that your body needs are vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- Vitamin A. Your body needs vitamin A to repair and restore cells, so it is absolutely vital for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Vitamin A also facilitates wound healing and keeps your eyesight sharp, especially your night vision.
- Vitamin D. To keep your bones strong and ward off osteoporosis, your body needs a sufficient amount of vitamin D. This vitamin is best absorbed if taken with calcium, so your doctor may recommend a supplement that combines both nutrients.
- Vitamin E. Your body is exposed to all kinds of toxins, and it needs vitamin E to remedy the "free radicals" that these toxins create. Without vitamin K, your body is more prone to cancers, diseases, and premature aging.
- Vitamin K. The last of the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin K helps your blood clot. Without it, you will bruise easily and bleed more profusely from cuts and wounds.
Because of the potential side effects of taking too many fat-soluble vitamins, have a professional doctor or surgeon, like those at the Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas, monitor the amount that you consume. After a duodenal switch surgery, determining how much you should take can be difficult, and only your doctor can truly gauge the appropriate amount for you.