The malabsorptive nature of the gastric bypass system prohibits adequate amounts of B-complex vitamins from food sources from entering the body of weight loss surgery patients. Annual blood tests indicate that patients who do not supplement their diet with B-Complex Vitamins are deficient.

B-Complex vitamins are found in both meat and plant foods. Most dietary supplements contain the B-Complex vitamins, but many WLS patients elect to take an additional B-Complex tablet. There is risk of B-Complex deficiency due to malabsorption and limited food intake. B-Complex tablets can be purchased in sublingual form a small tablet placed under the tongue to be dissolved and absorbed through the soft tissues of the mouth.

It has long been believed, although not scientifically supported, that mega doses of B-complex vitamins will combat everyday stress, boost energy and control food cravings. I can recall years ago my moody grandmother taking a trip to see the town doctor for a B-12 shot. Much to grandfathers relief she returned from the visit cheerful and seemingly stress-free. In those days it was common for women going through the change to take B-12 shots.

The Vitamin B complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1) riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3) pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) pyridoxine (vitamin B6) biotin, folic acid and the cobalmins (vitamin B12). Each member of the B-complex has a unique structure and performs unique functions in the body. B-Complex vitamins support energy production, the immune system, proper cell division and support the nervous system.

Recent research conducted by the National Institute on Aging found that women over age 65 with a vitamin B12 deficiency were twice as likely to suffer from depression as those with a full store of the vitamin. Maybe Grandma was right to visit her doctor for that shot of cheerfulness. Today things are easier, slip a tab of feel-good nutrients under your tongue.

Copyright 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

Kaye Bailey

An award winning journalist and former newspaper editor Kaye Bailey brings expertise in writing and personal experience with gastric bypass surgery to EzineArticles.com. Ms. Bailey developed a passion for writing at an early age. As a teenager she found writing her feelings about obesity helped her cope in a world that is often cruel to overweight children and adults alike.

Ms. Bailey says she found out she was fat in kindergarten when another child told her she was fat. ?I didn?t even know what fat was but I could tell it was bad and I didn?t want to be fat. Until that day I had been unaware I was different. But there I was, a five-year-old girl sitting cross-legged on the floor learning a new word that would define me.?

At age 33 she underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. For the first time in her life after multiple failed diet attempts she lost weight. She said the decision to have surgery took courage, nerve, and a little bit of plain old faith. But she learned surgery was the easy part. Dealing with newfound emotions, struggling with food choices and fighting to keep from regaining weight were unexpected bumps in the road following massive weight loss with surgery.

Having spent most of her life overweight Ms. Bailey is strongly empathetic toward the obese, particularly overweight children. This compassion compelled her to found the website LivingAfterWLS.com, a fast-growing resource of information, understanding and support for the weight loss surgery community. While weight loss surgery is publicly perceived as an easy fix to obesity Ms. Bailey maintains the struggles after surgery challenge the vigor of even the most dedicated individual. As WLS becomes more readily available patients are finding there is a lack of long-term aftercare and support from bariatric centers.

The LivingAfterWLS.com site is complimented with daily blog. The blog, livingafterwls.blogspot.com offers readers the chance to comment or leave feedback about fresh content added daily. This site contains success stories and recipes as well as general information and WLS inspired topics. Complementing the site is a monthly newsletter titled ?You Have Arrived? available exclusively to people who subscribe through the website or the blog. The path forward includes community forums, nutrition and fitness tracking tools.

Ms. Bailey makes her home on a ranch in the Rocky Mountains with her husband of eight years who has been her consort in life after WLS.