Nutritional profile of patients before and after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 3-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for obesity class II and III. However, postoperative side effects may occur, such as nutritional deficiencies resulting from reduced gastric capacity and alterations in nutrient absorption along the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
A total of 170 patients (136 women and 34 men) submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) between 2000 and 2005 were retrospectively assessed. Anthropometric and laboratory data were evaluated and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements, before and 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following surgery, was assessed, as well.


RESULTS
Mean excess weight loss at 24 and 36 months was 81.5 ± 19.2 and 78.5 ± 20.8 %, respectively. Anemia was present in 6.5 % of subjects prior to the surgery and increased to 33.5 % at 36 months. The levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycemia were reduced, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased. Albumin and vitamin B12 levels showed no significant differences at the end of the study compared to the preoperative evaluation. Folic acid levels increased significantly during the follow-up. Almost 6 % of the patients had used standard vitamin and mineral supplements in the preoperative period and 72.4, 85.3, 74.7, 77.1, and 72.4 % at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months following RYGB, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for long-term weight loss. However, nutritional deficiency is one of its side effects and should be properly diagnosed and handled, aimed at improving the patient's quality of life and preventing severe complications.
Postgraduation Program in Clinical Nutrition: Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes and Obesity, Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Av. Princesa Isabel, 395, Porto Alegre, Brazil. carinablume@terra.com.br
Carina Andriatta
CA
Blume
Carla Cristina
CC
Boni
Daniela Schaan
DS
Casagrande
Jacqueline
J
Rizzolli
Alexandre Vontobel
AV
Padoin
Cláudio Corá
CC
Mottin
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014280:Triglycerides; D014815:Vitamins