Evaluation of nutrient status after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy evolved as a primary bariatric procedure with little information on its nutritional effects. Our objective was to assess the longer term micronutrient and vitamin status after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a university hospital.

Methods: Measurements of ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity, hemoglobin, hematocrit, parathyroid hormone, albumin, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, and vitamins A, B1, B12, and D were obtained at baseline and 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery. Two-sample t tests with multiple adjusted comparisons and Fisher's exact test were used to determine deficiency.

Results: A total of 82 patients (67% women), with a mean age of 46.4 years and a baseline body mass index 55.7 kg/m2 were included in the present study (35 at 1, 27 at 3, and 30 at 5 years postoperatively). The percentage of excess body mass index loss was 58.5% at year 1 in 35 patients, 63.1% at year 3 in 27 patients, and 46.1% at year 5 in 30 patients. The parathyroid hormone level decreased from 75.0 to 49.6 ng/mL in year 1 to 40.7 ng/mL in year 3. The year 5 levels increased to 99.6 ng/mL. The mean vitamin D level increased from 23.6 ng/mL to 35.0, 32.1 and 34.8 at years 1, 3, and 5 (P = .05 for baseline to year 1). The vitamin D level was less than normal in 42% of the patients at year 5. After normalization from baseline, by year 5, parathyroid hormone had increased in 58.3% of patients. At year 5, vitamin B1 was less than normal in 30.8% of patients, and hemoglobin and hematocrit were less than normal in for 28.6% and 25% of patients, respectively. Finally, 28.9% of patients reported taking supplements in year 1, 42.9% in year 3, and 63.3% in year 5. The other variables were not significantly different.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy resulted in health improvements through year 3. At year 5, the nutrient levels had reverted toward the baseline values. These observations provide focus for necessary clinical monitoring.