title: Vitamin and trace mineral levels after laparoscopic gastric bypass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nutritional deficiencies are a concern after any bariatric surgery procedure. Restriction of oral intake and/or decreased absorption may cause vitamin abnormalities. Prevention of these vitamin deficiencies includes both supplementation and routine measuring of serum values. An investigation was undertaken to examine preoperative and short-term (1-year) postoperative levels of vitamins/trace minerals in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum preoperative and postoperative vitamin/trace element levels of LRYGBP patients were recorded in a retrospective chart review (n = 100). Unavailable and undrawn levels were not included in the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative and 1-year postoperative percentage of abnormal levels were: vitamin A 11% and 17%, vitamin B(12) 13% and 3%, vitamin D-25 40% and 21%, zinc 30% and 36%, iron 16% and 6%, ferritin 9% and 3%, selenium 58% and 3%, and folate 6% and 11%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormal vitamin and trace mineral values are common both preoperatively and postoperatively in a bariatric surgery patient population. Routine evaluation of serum levels should be performed in this specific patient population.
authors: Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Weight Management Center, Methodist University Hospital, 956 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. amadan@utmem.edu
authors: Atul K
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