Micronutrient deficiencies after laparoscopic gastric bypass: recommendations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of micronutrients in patients with morbid obesity after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (LRYGBP).

We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients diagnosed with morbid obesity who undertook LRYGBP and evaluated the serum iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), vitamin A (VitA), 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (VitD), vitamin B(12) (VitB(12)), and parathormone (PTH) measured at 6, 12, and 24 months after LRYGBP.

During a follow-up period of 69 months (June 1999 to February 2005), a cohort of 121 patients, 40 men and 81 women, underwent LRYGBP, a mean age of 46 years (range 22-67). The mean body mass index (BMI) before LRYGBP was 47.00 +/- 7.15 kg/m(2) (range 30.65-76.60 kg/m(2)). After 6 months of the surgery, the mean BMI was 33.79 +/- 6.06 kg/m(2) (range 21.70-52.76 kg/m(2)). The mean BMI decreased (P < 0.001) 6 months after the surgery. Within the following 2 years, the serum Fe, Ca, Zn, Se, VitA, VitD, and VitB(12) had normalized. The serum Zn, Se, and VitA of some patients decreased but were nearly normal. In contrast, serum PTH remained continuously at a higher level than normal.

This study confirms that LRYGBP is a reliable and safe weight loss method for the patients suffering from morbid obesity. After surgery, serum Ca, Zn, and Se metabolisms and PTH levels are altered in these patients. Therefore, multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation are strongly recommended in all patients after LRYGBP.