Changes in mineral and vitamin profiles after bariatric surgery in Korea: a before and after study

Abstract

Purpose: Bariatric surgery induces nutritional deficiencies that require long-term monitoring and supplementation. This study aimed to evaluate the status of vitamins and minerals pre-operation and 2 years post-operation and to compare the findings according to type of bariatric surgery. Methods: The study enrolled 302 patients who underwent bariatric surgery, adjustable gastric band (AGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) between 2013 and 2017 in the CHA Gangnam Medical Center and the Seoul Medical Center, Korea. Minerals and vitamin status was assessed at baseline (pre-operatively) until 2 years after bariatric surgery. Results: Mean age was 34.1±8.3 years, 256 patients (84.8%) were female, and mean body mass index was 35.3±5.7 kg/m 2 . Vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels were significantly different at 1 and 2 years after surgery compared to baseline. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, high-density lipoprotein, iron, calcium, and magnesium levels did not differ significantly during the study period. Conclusion:Although enrolled patients had no clinical symptoms of nutritional deficiences, several indicators related to nutrition decreased at 2 years after bariatric surgery. Despite variations in the alteration of laboratory results across three surgical interventions, namely SG, AGB, and RYGB, a consistent reduction in fasting blood sugar was observed subsequent to the surgical procedures.