Long-Term Results of the Mediterranean Diet After Sleeve Gastrectomy

To assess dietary habits in a cohort of patients at minimum follow-up of 4 years after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) by comparing their dietary records to the Italian Mediterranean diet (IMD) recommendations.

We prospectively evaluated in 74 patients who had the SG in 2014 dietary habits by a 7-day food dietary records, weight and micronutrient status, evolution of comorbidities, use of micronutrient supplements, and frequency of physical activity.

The IMD recommendations in terms of daily/weekly portions of fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates were followed by 40.5%, 35.1%, and 40.5% of the participants, respectively. Concerning milk/dairy, olive oil, poultry, fish/shellfish, eggs, legumes, processed/red meat, and cold cuts, 54.1%, 85.1%, 44.5%, 75.7%, 67.6%, 35.1%, 87.8%, and 55.4% of the participants, respectively, followed the IMD recommendations. Weight regain appeared in 37.8% of participants, while physical activity was reported by the 54.0% of them. Deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, iron, and anemia were found present in 6.8%, 8.1%, 24.3%, 33.8%, and 59.5% of the participants, respectively, and 18.9% of them were found to take micronutrient supplements. Improvement/remission of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea was 73.3%, 64.7%, and 100% respectively.

In this prospective cohort with a minimum follow-up of 4 years after SG, we found an inadequate intake of fruit, vegetables, poultry, and complex carbohydrates according to the IMD recommendations; the frequency of physical activity and the use of micronutrients supplements were also inadequate. This may contribute to weight regain and micronutrient deficiencies in the long term.