Nutritional Deficiencies Related to Obesity Surgery
April 2007
in “
Gastroentérologie clinique et biologique
”
bariatric surgery gastric reduction surgery bypass procedures fat-soluble vitamins folic acid zinc protein deficiency anemia neurological disorders Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy peripheral neuropathies malabsorption bone demineralization hair loss hemeralopia micronutrient monitoring supplementation vitamins night blindness
TLDR Bariatric surgery can worsen nutritional deficiencies, requiring careful monitoring and supplementation.
Morbidly obese patients often had nutritional deficiencies, particularly in fat-soluble vitamins, folic acid, and zinc, which worsened after bariatric surgery. Additional deficiencies could appear due to limited food intake in gastric reduction surgery and malabsorption in bypass procedures, leading to more severe deficiencies despite greater weight loss. Protein deficiency, anemia, and neurological disorders like Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathies were observed. Malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins rarely caused symptoms but could lead to complications such as bone demineralization, hair loss, and hemeralopia. Careful nutritional follow-up, especially during pregnancy, was essential, and systematic micronutrient monitoring and case-by-case supplementation were necessary pre- and postoperatively.
