Investigating Nutritional Deficiencies in a Group of Patients 3 Years Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a single-stage procedure has shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss and resolving obesity-related co-morbidities. However, its nutrition consequences have not been extensively explored. This study aims to investigate weight loss and evolution of nutritional deficiencies in a group of patients 3 years post LSG.

Retrospective data of a group of patients, 3 years following LSG as a stand-alone procedure was collected. Data included anthropometry, nutritional markers (hemoglobin, iron studies, folate, calcium, iPTH, vitamins D, and B₁₂), and compliancy with supplementations.

Ninety-one patients (male/female; 28:63), aged 51.9 ± 11.4 years with a BMI of 42.8 ± 6.1 kg/m² were identified to be 3 years post LSG. Percentage of weight loss at 1 and 3 years post-operatively was 29.8 ± 7.0 and 25.9 ± 8.8 %, respectively. Pre-operatively, the abnormalities included low hemoglobin (4 %), ferritin (6 %), vitamin B₁₂ (1 %), vitamin D (46 %), and elevated iPTH (25 %). At 3 years post-operatively, the abnormal laboratory values included low hemoglobin (14 % females, P = 0.021), ferritin (24 %, P = 0.011), vitamin D (20 %, P = 0.018), and elevated iPTH (17 %, P = 0.010). Compliancy with multivitamin supplementation was noted in 66 % of patients.

In these patients, LSG resulted in pronounced weight loss at 1 year post-operatively, and most of this was maintained at 3 years. Nutritional deficiencies are prevalent among patients prior to bariatric surgery. These deficiencies may persist or exacerbate post-operatively. Routine nutrition monitoring and supplementations are essential to prevent and treat these deficiencies.