Even though there are more breakthroughs and information ever before, regarding how to improve our health, the obesity epidemic continues in the U.S., and obesity rates are increasing around the world. The latest estimates are that approximately 34% of adults and 15–20% of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Obesity affects every segment of the U.S. population. More and more people are trying bariatric surgery as a last-ditch effort to knock off the weight. This procedure, however, can limit how many nutrients are absorbed by the body. Luckily, nutrient IV therapy can provide a simple and efficient solution and we have all the details.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is a variety of procedures performed on obese people to help achieve weight loss. This is done by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of a portion of the stomach. This can also be done by resecting and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch. There are different ways to get this surgery done. It just depends on your specific needs and what your physician thinks is right for you.

Who is eligible for bariatric surgery?

The ideal candidates are people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 40 or have a BMI over 35 and have other issues related to obesity. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol, triglycerides, etc), and other similar conditions.

How does bariatric surgery affect how you absorb nutrients?

Basically, what happens is that because you may be removing parts of your intestines or stomach during bariatric surgery, it makes it very difficult to absorb a lot of nutrients that normally would get absorbed during the digestive process and can cause serious nutrient deficiencies which can cause further complications like fatigue, dizziness, depression, headaches and a host of others. Bariatric surgery patients are usually provided with a list of vitamin supplements they need to take daily.

Can't I take oral supplements after going through bariatric surgery?

Of course you can and that is generally what happens after bariatric surgery. Your doctor will recommend you take multiple vitamin supplements for the rest of your life to make sure that your body absorbs all the nutrients it needs. Sometimes you may need to take over 30 supplements a day! This is why some doctors are starting to recommend nutrient IV therapy. It is making the lives of their patients a lot easier.

So how does nutrient IV therapy tie into this?

IV therapy is a great way to get all those nutrients into your body without having to take all those supplements and is in fact more potent because it gets absorbed directly in the blood stream. It is great to take it both pre op and post op. It is impossible to orally obtain the high levels of nutrients that IV vitamin therapy is capable of delivering.

When high doses of vitamins are consumed orally, they often result in gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. Only about 10-25% of what is taken orally is delivered to the cells. When delivered intravenously, the nutrients are administered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the stomach and intestines. This avoids any issues with absorption and allows high doses to be delivered safely and effectively, without it upsetting your stomach. Most people notice that they feeling better within hours of administration. Vitamins and minerals are the foundation of which cells need to function properly.

What is the vitamin IV therapy process like?

The procedure can be a bit uncomfortable at times, but not painful. The injection must be done slowly. If it is injected too quickly there can be an uncomfortable pressure at the injection site. The needle is placed into the vein and is connected to this very large syringe full of the nutrient solution by a long thin piece of tubing. The contents are then slowly injected. It is possible that you may have a vitamin taste in your mouth, but depending on your level of deficiency, you may or may not get this vitamin taste in your mouth right away. The entire process takes 15-20 minutes. It is recommended that you arrive for this treatment very well hydrated. You may even feel the results right away. Many people get scared about needles, but trust us, this is an easy, relatively painless process.

So is taking nutrient IV drips worth it if I get bariatric surgery?

IV therapy for bariatric surgery patients is well researched but a bit underutilized. IV therapy has its beginnings in the management of cancer-related issues and fibromyalgia, but is being considered more and more as a prophylactic and therapeutic option for bariatric patients. IV infusion of micronutrients is safe, feasible, reliable, and relatively inexpensive.

A basic supplementation regimen of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommended doses of magnesium, calcium, cobalamin, thiamine, iron, and vitamin C on a bi-weekly or monthly basis might serve as an alternative therapy to taking oral supplements. Specific IV infusions for vitamin deficiencies are also well tolerated and more effective than oral supplementation because of superior absorption via the IV route. Want to learn more about it? Read this article about the myths of IV drips. 

Can I get a vitamin IV drip if I’m not a bariatric patient?

Of course. IV therapy has a lot of different uses and benefits depending on what you are looking for. There are IV drips for boosting your immune system, for slowing down the signs of aging, for athletic performance, and even beating a hangover! Whatever your health needs, chances are there is an IV drip for you.

Where can I get nutrient IV therapy?

There are many different health spas that offer IV therapy, but if you’re looking for a safe, friendly, and professional environment, Liquivida Lounge is where it's at. Here you’ll find trusted medical professionals who focus on your comfort and make sure you are taken care of. Liquivida wants to help improve your health and with locations including Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and Aventura, you’ll find a local Liquivida Lounge that will cater to your needs. They also have a host of other services like microdermabrasion, microneedling, hair growth, and more. If you want to improve your health immediately. Check out Liquivida today!