Bacteria called probiotics live in your gut and keep your gut healthy. They come from food or supplements and support digestion, the immune system, and make essential nutrients.
Having a good balance of friendly bacteria in the gut influences overall health and disease risk. More people are taking probiotics to improve this balance.
You may consider probiotics if you’re having weight loss surgery. But with all the diet changes that come with the procedure, you might wonder if probiotics are safe after surgery.
What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery or obesity surgery, are procedures that treat obesity. It involves modifying the stomach and, sometimes, the small intestine. These changes limit food intake and absorption, helping with weight loss.
The two most common bariatric procedures are gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass removes most of the stomach, creating a small pouch about the size of an egg. Surgeons then bypass the first part of the small intestine and attach the stomach pouch further down. This procedure limits food intake and nutrient absorption.
Related: Am I a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery removes up to 80% of the stomach, leaving behind a small, thin pouch shaped like a banana. This procedure doesn’t make any changes to the small intestine, but removes the part of the stomach that produces hunger hormones. Gastric sleeve surgery is the most common bariatric surgery today, and the type of procedure most recommend by bariatric surgeons.
Other bariatric procedures include the mini gastric bypass surgery, gastric balloon, gastric plication, and others. All will modify the size or capacity of the stomach in some way.
With a significantly smaller stomach it’s more difficult getting all the nutrition you need from food alone. In addition to supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals, you may benefit from probiotics after bariatric surgery.
Role of probiotics in gut health
Probiotics are good microorganisms that live all over the body, especially the gut. They come from fermented foods like yogurt and kefir or supplements.
Researchers are still learning about probiotics and their role in our body. But studies suggest having a good supply of the beneficial bacteria helps with digestion, immunity, and nutrition. Probiotics also make substances that influence overall health and may increase or decrease the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
The balance of microorganisms in the gut is called the gut microbiome or microbiota. Many factors influence the makeup of the gut microbiome, including what you eat.
Recent studies show that people who struggle with their weight often have an imbalance of microbiota, called dysbiosis. The imbalance of the gut microbiome may affect recovery from bariatric surgery
Additionally, bariatric surgery can change the gut microbiota due to changes in digestion and diet. Taking probiotics may help repopulate the gut microbiome after surgery, supporting recovery and long-term weight management.
Are probiotics safe after bariatric surgery?
A review article published in Clinical Obesity suggests potential benefits of probiotics after bariatric surgery. Probiotic supplements after gastric bypass surgery may support recovery, weight loss, and nutrition. They may also lower the risk of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
However, the authors of this study recommend more research to determine the safety of probiotics after bariatric surgery.
Benefits of probiotics after bariatric surgery
Probiotics may help manage some of the side effects of bariatric surgery. Potential benefits include:
Improvement in digestive health
Diarrhea and constipation are common side effects of bariatric surgery. Diet may improve or worsen these side effects. The American Bariatric Association (ABA) says that a course of probiotics after bariatric surgery may support gut flora balance and lessen the side effects.
Support for nutrient absorption
Bariatric surgery makes it harder to absorb certain nutrients like vitamin B12. Early research shows that probiotics after surgery may improve absorption of vitamin B12, but more studies are needed to confirm benefits.
Related: Best Bariatric Vitamins & Supplements
Immune support
A strong immune system supports recovery following bariatric surgery. The makeup of your gut microbiome may affect this process. Probiotic supplements may support immune health, helping your recover from the procedure and reducing risk of complications.
As noted earlier, probiotics after bariatric surgery may lower risk of SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which is when you have too much bacteria in the small intestines. SIBO following bariatric surgery can cause gas and diarrhea and affect nutrient absorption, and supplementation with probiotics may lower the chances of these related side effects.
Types of probiotics beneficial after bariatric surgery
There isn’t one best probiotic supplement or strain for people after bariatric surgery. However, strains from Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces families are well-studied and commonly found in dietary supplements and may support gut health.
Supplements with probiotic strains that support vitamin production, like L. rhamnosus, B. lactis, and B. adolescentis may benefit nutritional health for people following bariatric surgery, according to a review published in Nutrients. However, more research is needed to confirm the benefits of these specific strains for those post bariatric surgery.
Each strain has a unique function, so there’s no one-size-fits-all probiotic supplement for bariatric surgery. Talk to your doctor for guidance on which probiotic is best for you.
You may find powdered probiotic supplements easier to tolerate than capsules after surgery.
Related: Best Bariatric Probiotics after Surgery
Risks of taking probiotics after bariatric surgery
Probiotic supplements are safe and well-tolerated by most people. However, with a smaller stomach size and change in absorption, they can cause side effects like stomach upset, gas, or diarrhea following surgery.
They can also increase risk of infection in people with a weakened immune system.
Check whether you need to take the probiotic with or without food, as it can affect absorption. Your doctor may suggest starting with a lower dose and increasing it to reduce side effects.
Consult your bariatric surgeon
If you’re considering probiotics after bariatric surgery, talk to your doctor or bariatric surgeon. They can give personalized advice on pros and cons and recommend supplements based on your needs.
Probiotics can help restore the gut microbiome to support health and well-being. Studies show that they may improve digestion and nutrition after bariatric surgery.
FAQs
Are probiotics recommended immediately after bariatric surgery?
Talk to your doctor about whether you should take probiotics immediately after surgery. They can provide guidance on when to start supplements, best dose, and form.
Can probiotics help reduce side effects post-bariatric surgery?
Some research shows that probiotics may help reduce post-bariatric surgery side effects like gas, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. They may also improve nutrient absorption.
How do I know if probiotics are working for me?
There’s no single way to know if probiotics are working. But it can take several weeks for the gut microbiome to repopulate. Monitoring your overall health and symptoms can provide some clues if the supplements are working.
Is it better to use capsules or powder probiotics after surgery?
Powder probiotics may be better tolerated than capsules after bariatric surgery, but ultimately it is up to how your body tolerates the probiotics after surgery.
