Investigating the prevalence of nutritional abnormalities in patients prior to and following bariatric surgery.

AIMS: Bariatric surgery remains an effective treatment for the condition of obesity. However it predisposes patients to nutritional deficiencies and related complications. The aim of this study was to identify nutritional abnormalities, weight loss, adherence to supplements, and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a cohort of bariatric surgical patients. METHODS: An analysis of the electronic medical records of patients attending a multidisciplinary private clinic in Sydney, Australia from August 2020 to August 2021 was conducted. Data on anthropometric measures, nutritional indices, adherence to supplements and gastrointestinal symptoms preoperatively and then at ≤6 months, 1 and 2 years or more postoperatively were collected. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients were included in the study. The majority of patients were female (76.2%), with a sleeve gastrectomy (78.8%). Average preoperative BMI was 43.4 ± 7.1 kg/m2 . Weight loss ≥2 years postsurgery was 33.5 ± 12.4 kg. The most common abnormalities preoperatively were: C-reactive protein (47.7%), vitamin D (39%), B12 (31%), parathyroid hormone (27.6%) and ferritin (12.7%). Vitamin B12 (23.2%), parathyroid hormone (23%), vitamin D (17.7%) and ferritin (15.9%) remained common abnormalities postoperatively. Adherence to multivitamins was 90% in the first year following surgery, declining to 77% at ≥2 years. Gastrointestinal symptoms were predominantly present in the initial stages following surgery, manifesting thiamin deficiency in 6.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite achieving durable weight loss, nutritional and related abnormalities remain an ongoing challenge for bariatric surgery. Adherence to nutrient supplements, gastrointestinal symptoms and related complications are important considerations in addressing the problem.

Changes in Anthropometric Measures, Nutritional Indices and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Following One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) Compared with Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity with new procedures emerging. However, despite comparable weight loss and improvements in metabolic outcomes, research on nutritional and gastrointestinal symptoms remains limited. Here we compare clinical data on weight, nutritional disorders and gastrointestinal symptoms of patients before and following one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric Bypass (RYGB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data on anthropometry, nutritional indices, dietary intake and gastrointestinal symptoms were retrieved in cohorts of patients up to 2 years following OAGB and RYGB. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients had either a RYGB (28) or an OAGB (45), with 71% seeking these as a revisional procedure. Significant and higher weight loss was observed in the OAGB cohort at 1 year (%TWL 33.0 ± 8.5 vs. 26.6 ± 12.4), albeit comparable at 2 years postoperatively (%TWL 29.0 ± 11.1 vs. 34.1 ± 11.2). Disorders such as vitamin D, active B12, folate, homocystein (Hcy) and hyperparathyroidism were present following both surgeries. Levels of vitamin D, ferritin and total protein significantly worsened over time. Gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhoea, steatorrhoea and reflux were higher in the OAGB cohort while the RYGB cohort reported more dumping syndrome (DS). CONCLUSION: Significant and similar weight loss results are seen following both OAGB and RYGB. Nutritional disorders were common in both cohorts and increased over time. However, the OAGB patients reported more gastrointestinal side effects, which may contribute to poor quality of life and nutritional consequences. Prospective and longer-term studies investigating the nutritional and gastrointestinal health of patients undergoing OAGB is recommended.

The Relationship Between Bariatric Surgery and Diet Quality: a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. These procedures change the gastrointestinal system with the aim of reducing dietary intake. Improving diet quality is essential in maintaining nutritional health and achieving long-term benefits from the surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between bariatric surgery and diet quality at least 1 year after surgery. METHODS: A systematic search of five databases was conducted. Studies were included that reported diet quality, eating pattern, or quality of eating in adult patients who had undergone laparoscopic-adjusted gastric banding (LAGB), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) procedures. Data was extracted to determine the relationship between having had bariatric surgery and subsequent diet quality. RESULTS: A total of 34 study articles (described in 36 articles) met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were observational in nature and showed a reduction in energy intake following surgery, as well as inadequate intakes of micronutrients and protein, and an excessive intake of fats. There was evidence of nutrient imbalances, suboptimal compliance with multivitamin and mineral supplementation, and limited follow-up of patients. CONCLUSION: The current evidence base suggests that despite being effective in reducing energy intake, bariatric surgery can result in unbalanced diets, inadequate micronutrient and protein intakes, and excessive intakes of fats. In combination with suboptimal adherence to multivitamin and mineral supplementation, this may contribute to nutritional deficiencies and weight regain. There is a need for high-quality nutrition studies, to identify optimal dietary compositions following bariatric surgery.