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FAQ

  1. General questions
  2. Bariatric Advantage Multi
  3. Bariatric Advantage Calcium
  4. Bariatric Advantage Vitamin B12
  5. Bariatric Advantage Whey
  6. Bariatric Advantage NutriTotal
  7. Bariatric Advantage Zinc

1. General Questions

From what age can Bariatric Advantage® be used?

Bariatric Advantage® was specifically developed for bariatric patients and can therefore be used from the age of 18. Patients under 18 years undergoing bariatric surgery may also use the Bariatric Advantage® range.

Flavour: citrus, cherry, strawberry or rasberry

What should be taken after bariatric surgery to prevent or treat possible deficiencies?

One tablet or serving of Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder and 1 to 3 tablets of Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate provide the recommended daily allowance for vitamins and minerals and will help replenish any deficiencies before and after surgery. Instead of the Bariatric Advantage® Multi and Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate combination, you can also take one serving of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal to replenish deficiencies (also contains proteins). If a blood test shows that iron and/or vitamin B12 deficiencies persist despite the daily intake of Bariatric Advantage® Multi or Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal, they can be replenished with Bariatric Advantage® Iron and/or Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin B12 I.F. Bariatric Advantage® Whey can possibly be used as a diet supplement to ensure the daily intake of adequate protein.      

Why take specific supplements and not standard supplements available in supermarkets?

Surgery has a significant impact on the body. Not only will the patient be able to eat less, he/she will also feel full faster. In addition, after a gastric bypass, the absorption of nutrients is limited because a portion of the small intestine is bypassed. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are unavoidable and it is therefore essential that they are supplemented quickly and efficiently.

This can best be achieved by choosing special supplements, because they meet 5 important criteria, all adapted to the patient's needs:

  1. Specific composition: rich in vitamins and minerals, in the correct quantities and in accordance with ASMBS* guidelines 
  2. Vitamins and minerals in specific forms so that they are absorbed better, faster and often also further in the intestine (this is especially important when a portion of the small intestine has been bypassed)
  3. Very easy to use: as chewable tablets (no water needed) or as powder that can be mixed with food
  4. No side effects
  5. Ease of use: 1 to 3 tablets or servings of powder a day are sufficient for the recommended daily allowance for vitamins and minerals.

*American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

After eating I feel nauseous and very tired. Is that normal?

That is possible. You probably suffer from dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome is a term collectively used for symptoms that occur immediately or a few hours after eating. These symptoms may occur after eating or drinking too fast, eating too large portions, eating (too) many sugars. Typical complaints are nausea, lethargy, dizziness, sweating, cramps, diarrhoea, accelerated heartbeat, etc. To avoid dumping syndrome, it is recommended to eat calmly and chew properly, not to drink during or immediately after meals, to eat small portions, to avoid fatty meals and to limit sugary foods. If the symptoms recur regularly, consult your doctor.

Is the Bariatric Advantage® range suitable for any type of surgery or does it distinguish between different types of surgery?

The Bariatric Advantage® range is suitable for any type of surgery. The dosage does not need to be adjusted according to the type of surgery. There is no risk of overdosing provided the recommended dosage is followed. Only in the case of a duodenal switch, will extra supplements have to be taken, such as fat-soluble vitamins.

What is the use of vitamins in active form and minerals with high biological availability? What is meant by high biological availability?

Biological availability, or bioavailability in short, refers to the extent to which a specific ingredient becomes available at the target site in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the higher the absorption of this ingredient and the higher the quantity present in the body.
Bariatric surgery changes the body's needs. It is of crucial importance to select ingredients that are well absorbed by the body.

  • Vitamins in active form no longer need to be transformed by the body and can immediately be absorbed by the body. 
  • Minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc. in readily absorbable form (such as bisglycinate, fumarate and citrate) have a high bioavailability and are recommended to replenish deficiencies quickly. E.g. calcium citrate instead of calcium carbonate. Calcium citrate is 25% better absorbable than calcium carbonate and does not require an acidic environment for absorption (because the acidity of the stomach decreases after bariatric surgery). 

The right form of ingredients is not only important for high absorption by the body (high bioavailability), but also to reduce the occurrence of possible discomforts such as diarrhoea (zinc bisglycinate versus zinc gluconate).

 2. Bariatric Advantage® Multi

 

Do the Bariatric Advantage® Multi chewable tablets also come in flavours other than cherry and citrus? I am looking for more variation.

The chewable tablets are available in cherry and citrus flavours. For more variation in your multivitamin/mineral preparation, we have developed Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder. This powder has a neutral taste, and contains no sugar or sweeteners, so it can be mixed with your food. In this way, you can determine yourself the taste of your multivitamin/mineral preparation. Besides, we also offer Bariatric Advantage® Multi Capsules.
 

I am having problems chewing. Is Bariatric Advantage® Multi also available in powder form?

Yes, Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder can be mixed with your food.
 

I feel nauseous after taking Bariatric Advantage® Multi. Is that normal?

Do not take the tablet on an empty stomach, but preferably during or just after a meal. Switch to Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder which you can mix with your food if you do not like the tablets, if you suffer from nausea, or if you would like some variation.  
 

Why does Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder need to be mixed with food?

Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder has a neutral taste and is unsweetened, so it is not advisable to take it with water. However, its neutral taste means it can perfectly be mixed with food and allows you to bring variation in your diet. 
 

My meal colours orange when I add Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder. Is that normal?

Indeed, an orange discolouration may occur. This is caused by the beta-carotene, which produces this effect when a certain temperature is reached.  However, this discolouration does not affect the quality of the nutrients. To preserve a homogeneous colour, it is recommended to add Bariatric Advantage® Multi Powder to cold or lukewarm dishes (up to 30°C).
 

Should the Bariatric Advantage® Multi and the Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate chewable tablets be swallowed whole?

No, the tablets should be chewed into small pieces before being swallowed.

3. Bariatric Advantage® Calcium

Should the Bariatric Advantage® Multi and the Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate chewable tablets be swallowed whole?

No, the tablets should be chewed into small pieces before being swallowed.
 

Can I take the calcium chewing tablets with multivitamins?

No, to ensure optimal absorption of all minerals, it’s preferable not to take the calcium chewing tablets along with multivitamins or Bariatrics Advantage Magnesium & Vitamin D. E.g. mornings, afternoons between meals and evenings before going to sleep.
 

Can i take the calcium tablets with an iron supplement?

No, to ensure optimal absorption of all minerals, it’s preferable not to take the calcium chewing tablets along with an iron supplement. E.g. mornings, afternoons between meals and evenings before going to sleep.
 

Can i crush the calcium tablets into a powder and dissolve them in a liquid?

Yes, you can.
 

4. Bariatric Advantage Vitamin® B12







Why does Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin B12 I.F. contain intrinsic factor?

Vitamin B12 deficiency often occurs after bariatric surgery. On the one hand, this is because the patient eats less meat (which is the major source of vitamin B12). On the other hand, it is because the protein 'intrinsic factor', which is produced in the stomach and is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12, is absent in bariatric patients. The addition of intrinsic factor (IF) to Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin B12 I.F. ensures the optimal absorption of vitamin B12. 
 

Is Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin B12 I.F. suitable for vegetarians? 

No, the intrinsic factor in Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin B12 I.F. is of animal origin (pork) and therefore not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
 

5. Bariatric Advantage® Whey



Can Bariatric Advantage® Whey be mixed with water or food? With both cold and warm food?

Yes. However, make sure the food is not too warm (cold or lukewarm dishes up to 30°C are recommended) so as not to denature the proteins.
 

Why do I need to eat at least 60 g  of proteins a day?

Proteins are the building blocks of our bodies. Proteins are necessary to maintain muscle mass and to promote recovery after surgery. They also help ensure that weight loss is only at the expense of fatty tissue. Major sources of proteins are meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, etc. Ask your doctor for advice.
 

What is the origin of the whey proteins in Bariatric Advantage® Whey and Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal? If they are of animal origin, can they also cause allergies?

Whey proteins are present in cow's milk and may therefore cause allergies. Bariatric Advantage® Whey and NutriTotal are therefore only gluten-free. 

How is the whey protein isolate made?

  • This is a natural whey isolate of sweet Irish whey.
  • Prepared with cold cross-flow microfiltration to maintain the natural structure of protein and maximize protein intake.

I am lactose-intolerant. Is Bariatric Advantage® Whey suitable for me?

  • Bariatric Advantage® Whey is suitable for most people with lactose intolerance. It contains very little lactose (<1%) and is low in fat. If you have any concerns, ask your doctor or dietician.

6. Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal

What does the "all-in-1" formula of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal contain?

One serving of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal corresponds to one chewable tablet, 2 capsules or serving of Bariatric Advantage® Multi, 2 chewable tablets of Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate and 1.5 servings of Bariatric Advantage® Whey.  Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal also contains fibres to facilitate intestinal transit.

Can the intake of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal be spread out over the day? 

Yes. 1 serving of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal corresponds to 3 measuring spoons, to be diluted in water or skimmed milk, and to be kept in the fridge. These servings can be spread out throughout the day.

Can Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal be taken as a meal replacement?

Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal is rich in proteins (30 g protein per serving but low in fats and carbohydrates and therefore not recommended as a meal replacement. By contrast, thanks to its specific composition, Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal is the most complete product for bariatric patients to compensate for vitamin, mineral and protein deficiencies before and after surgery.

I do not eat enough protein. Can I take several servings of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal so as to achieve a minimum of 60 g protein a day?

One serving of Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal contains the recommended daily amount of vitamins and minerals, so it is not really advisable to increase the number of servings. To meet your daily need of protein, it is best to supplement your diet with one or more servings of Bariatric Advantage® Whey. Always ask your doctor for advice.

Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal contains magnesium. I therefore wonder whether it may be taken with milk. Is the absorption of magnesium not hindered by the presence of calcium?

Certain types of magnesium that are taken with milk may cause competition with calcium, resulting in reduced magnesium absorption. A good calcium/magnesium ratio would be 2:1. However, the magnesium present in Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal is in the form of magnesium bisglycinate, so it will be properly absorbed and not enter into competition with calcium. Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal may therefore be mixed with milk. Ask your doctor for advice if you want to know more.

What is the origin of the whey proteins in Bariatric Advantage® Whey and Bariatric Advantage® NutriTotal? If they are of animal origin, can they also cause allergies?

Whey proteins are present in cow's milk and may therefore cause allergies. Bariatric Advantage® Whey and NutriTotal are therefore only gluten-free. 

7. Bariatric Advantage® Zinc

Can Bariatric Advantage® Zinc be combined with the daily Bariatric Advantage® Multi?

Yes, after bariatric surgery zinc deficiency often occurs. The combination is safe and often recommended.

How long can I take the Bariatric Advantage® Zinc in combination with the daily Bariatric Advantage® Multi?

The intake for 3 months is safe. If symptoms after 3 months persist please consult your doctor.

Bariatric Advantage ® is a subsidiary of Metagenics Inc. and the creator of KetogenX Professional Weight Management ™. All Rights Reserved.
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