Question re" gastric bypass and nutrition absorption

[shmily 424]

I was at one year for gastric bypass on Feb 26, 2015. I have been very successul with 110 pound wt loss. My question is this. For over two years my eye doctor has been monitoring the pigment in my eyes that makes me at risk for macular degeneration. I have been consistantly low and have to take daily Vitamins specifically for that. Before my bypass, the pigment increased by eating lots of green leafy veggies. I am curious since we cannot absorb vitamins but can absorb protein...if I make smoothies out of green leafy veggiess, can my body absorb the nutrients from that more than it can from just eating them???

[VDB 800]

Ok, not a medical doctor, but better check with yours about "not absorbing Vitamins, just protein". With the bypass, you do absorb less, but still absorb some Vitamins, just have to supplement the rest of your life. I eat lots of dark greens well blended for this same reason, and expect it to work just fine.

[shmily 424]

I do take my Vitamins faithfully.......but just wondering about this

[Djmohr 6,965]

@@shmily, I agree with @. You do absorb Vitamins with gastric bypass. There are a few that are absorbed in different places within your new digestive system. For example Protein is absorbed at a place that is past the actual surgery so you don't malabsorb Protein. Calcium on the other hand is absorbed above the bypass and although you do absorb it, your body doesn't absorb all of it. This is the reason most doctors require a calcium citrate twice per day.

My nutritionist showed me a chart of how this works. I wish I could get my hands on that chart.

If I were you, I would talk to your nutritionist or surgeon about these questions. They are very good questions.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about bypass patients not absorbing Vitamins. The reality is if you take your supplements and get labs drawn you should remain on track. The reason this is important is because you cannot eat enough to get what you need and when you do, some vitamins aremalabsorbed in different parts of your digestive system. But you do absorb some of them.

[VDB 800]

BTW SHMILY, great job on the weight and bmi loss.... I am amazed how fast this weight comes off!

[Rebecca Jo Ragon 33]

@@Djmohr

Interesting information. I just talked with my dr. about the percentage of malabsorption. I asked him if he knew approximately what percentage of what we are eating we do absorb. He said he was not aware of any studies that have attempted to measure this. Have you heard of any estimates? I was wondering specifically about Protein. If I get in 100g of Protein for the day, do I absorb most of it since it is absorbed after the surgical site?

I am interested in your chart. If you do put your hands on it, scan it for us if you can. I figure the more information I have, the better I am able to make wise decisions about my daily nutrition goals. Thanks!

[shmily 424]

My doctor has released me and I had to pay for my nutritionist , who wasn't all that great...my doctor was awesome but he left this all up to the nut. I am only concerned because of the eye pigment and these eye vits cost me over 30.00 a month and they say the pigment could still be higher. Thanks for the info. That chart would be helpful

[VDB 800]

BTW, SHMILY, I use Vitamins etc., but rely on lots of concentrated dark green veges, specifically colllards, mustard greens, kale, chard, and beet greens -- I grow them, but either juice them or put them in my ninja and add them to other foods. Like last night, made a collard souffle with catfish inside -- delicious. I do this for my eye health. I grow and then blanch the greens for the freezer. Don't know if you garden but greens can grow in containers, small beds etc.

[Djmohr 6,965]

It is going to be a while before I see my nut but when I do, I will ask her for a copy and post it.

I was told specifically for bypass patients that we do not malabsorb Protein specifically. It is digested below the bypass.

I promise if I can get that chart I will post it. She pulled it out of her briefcase. It is something that comes up a lot so she mentioned the need to put this in their binder but that hasn't happened yet.

[Bobbe Schu 53]

Is this the chart?

[shmily 424]

Does anyone have a recipe for a green smoothie? ?

[VDB 800]

I make savory green smoothies a couple of ways, this is approximate because I don't use recipes but rather make it up based on feel and taste.

1. Cook two cups of dark greens, either collards, kale, or chard. Cook until almost soft, makes about 3/4 cup of cooked greens. Cool to room temperature. Add 3/4 cup of low salt broth (I use chicken but vege works good). Salt and/or pepper to taste. Blend well.

2. Cook as with #1, but instead of broth, use Water and 3 heaping tablespoons of vanilla Protein powder/powdered milk blend, salt to taste. I use EAS Protein powder from Target and cut it 50% with powdered nonfat milk. (This eliminates the thick part of Protein drinks I don't like).