Abstract
Background: As obesity continues to be one of the most important health struggles of our time, bariatric surgery is a valuable therapeutic tool for both the morbid obesity and associated comorbidities. Regardless of the procedure performed, there are nutritional deficiencies that occur and pose a challenge to patient and clinician alike. Patients and Methods: Our study was conducted on 50 sleeve gastrectomy patients who were assessed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively for percent excess weight loss and important laboratory parameters (hemoglobin level, iron level, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, copper, and albumin). Results: The prevalence of preoperative and 3 and 6 months postoperative vitamin and micronutrient derangements was as follows, respectively: microcytic hypochromic anemia (18%, 42%, 54%), iron deficiency, (14%, 36%, 46%), hypoalbuminemia (12%, 18%, 24%), vitamin D deficiency (64%, 74%, 84%), hypocalcemia (44%, 58%, 78%), low copper (4%, 6%, 10%), low zinc (4%, 24%, 26%), and vitamin B12 deficiency (16%) preoperative and excess (68%, 80%) at 3, 6 months, respectively. Conclusion: High levels of vitamin B12 postoperatively may be attributed to the frequency of parenteral vitamin injections, the necessity of which is questionable, while low levels of vitamin D and calcium is a consequence of preoperative deficiency. Adding vitamin D assessment to the routine preoperative investigations should be considered, and supplementation after sleeve may be indicated.