Mineral Malnutrition Following Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, while effective for weight management and reducing obesity-related diseases, often led to nutritional complications due to factors like preoperative malnutrition, decreased food intake, inadequate supplementation, nutrient malabsorption, and insufficient nutritional support. Essential minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, and copper were particularly affected, with deficiencies potentially causing severe issues like hair loss, poor immunity, anemia, and neuro-muscular defects. Adolescents and pregnant women were at exceptionally high risk. The review highlighted the need for better patient education, routine monitoring, and effective treatment strategies, and called for more research to develop evidence-based recommendations to improve nutritional outcomes post-surgery.