Any one know when the malabsorption wears off? I'm 10 mos post op. lost 109lbs.. Stalled for 2 months at 8 mos post op, and now I've gained 7lbs!!! I admit my snacking hasn't been good.: but I was thinking I had a chance with the malabsorption..

Studies I have seen say it can last 18-24 months. Vitamin malabsorbtion is forever!

date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

Studies I have seen say it can last 18-24 months. Vitamin malabsorbtion is forever!

date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

Hi a newbie here. What does all this mean?

First, be sure that you understand that the malabsorption of macronutrients (calories, fat, etc.) is only temporary while malabsorption of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is permanent. Almost as soon as you have surgery, your body begins the process of growing additional villi and lengthening the existing villi in the non-bypassed portion of the intestine, and by 18-24 months out, you are again absorbing most of the calories you eat (around 90%... The other 10% appears to be permanent malabsorption and appears to be mostly malabsorption of fats). The Vitamin malabsorption, however, is permanent since there a specific places in the intestinal system that do the majority of the work of absorbing the Vitamins and that is the portion that has been bypassed. We still absorb SOME vitamins from our food (and supplements), of course, but it is limited.

Most people are able to avoid nutritional deficiencies by having lab work done on a regular basis and adjusting vitamin supplements as needed. Sometimes that means taking high doses of certain supplements (iron and Vit D are very commonly taken in large doses), but it is relatively rare for people not to be able to remain healthy with proper supplementation. If you DON'T take supplements regularly, and don't have lab work done on a regular basis, however, the repercussions can be significant (depending on what type of deficiency). You can easily do an Internet search to see some of the potential physical issues caused by deficiencies in Vit D, A, B12, other B vitamins and of anemia caused by insufficient Iron.

Above is from another website but pretty much sums it up!!

date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

First, be sure that you understand that the malabsorption of macronutrients (calories, fat, etc.) is only temporary while malabsorption of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is permanent. Almost as soon as you have surgery, your body begins the process of growing additional villi and lengthening the existing villi in the non-bypassed portion of the intestine, and by 18-24 months out, you are again absorbing most of the calories you eat (around 90%... The other 10% appears to be permanent malabsorption and appears to be mostly malabsorption of fats). The Vitamin malabsorption, however, is permanent since there a specific places in the intestinal system that do the majority of the work of absorbing the Vitamins and that is the portion that has been bypassed. We still absorb SOME vitamins from our food (and supplements), of course, but it is limited.

Most people are able to avoid nutritional deficiencies by having lab work done on a regular basis and adjusting vitamin supplements as needed. Sometimes that means taking high doses of certain supplements (iron and Vit D are very commonly taken in large doses), but it is relatively rare for people not to be able to remain healthy with proper supplementation. If you DON'T take supplements regularly, and don't have lab work done on a regular basis, however, the repercussions can be significant (depending on what type of deficiency). You can easily do an Internet search to see some of the potential physical issues caused by deficiencies in Vit D, A, B12, other B vitamins and of anemia caused by insufficient Iron.

Above is from another website but pretty much sums it up!!

date of surgery 02/21/12 surgery weight 340 lbs. current weight 146 lbs

Thanks for this post I was not told about macronutrients absorption at all. This was not part of any conversation during my visit with the PA or seminar. I was told that I would be taking vitamins and supplements forever. This is why I have decided to change centers. I am learning a lot from these boards not the PA, NUT. Thanks for sharing.

What % of the macronutrients is not absorbed from the beginning if it ends up being 10% after 12-18 months?? I am 2 weeks out and trying to keep my calories to 800.....how much of that is absorbed?