Bariatric Surgery: Bypass patients Show Higher Supplement Adherence, Despite Similar Vitamin Levels to Sleeve Gastrectomy
new research spanning a decade reveals a surprising trend in nutritional outcomes following gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: while patients undergoing bypass surgery demonstrate greater adherence to micronutrient supplementation, long-term vitamin levels of B12, vitamin D, and calcium remain statistically comparable to those opting for sleeve gastrectomy. The 10-year study challenges assumptions about short-term follow-up data and highlights the complex interplay between supplementation, surgical technique, and long-term nutritional status after bariatric procedures.
The study found that micronutrient supplementation rates were consistently higher in the bypass group, yet the reason for this difference remains unclear. Researchers note that patient-reported barriers to adherence - including forgetfulness, inconsistent habits, gastrointestinal side effects, and altered taste – are common across both surgical groups.
Interestingly, despite lower reported adherence in the sleeve gastrectomy group, no notable differences were observed in vitamin D, vitamin B12, or calcium levels when compared to the bypass group. This suggests that factors extending beyond immediate post-operative supplementation, such as long-term dietary habits and overall health management, play a more significant role in maintaining these vitamin levels over time, as opposed to what is observed in shorter-term studies (Schiavo et al. 2017).
Though, the research did identify a notable difference in iron status. Patients undergoing bypass surgery exhibited greater iron deficiency, as measured by lower ferritin levels, despite their higher rates of supplement use.
Key takeaways from the study include:
* Patients with pre-existing iron deficiency and low ferritin stores should be prioritized for supplementation and consideration given to sleeve gastrectomy as the surgical technique of choice.
* Encouraging consistent adherence to nutritional supplements is crucial for all patients undergoing bariatric surgery, irrespective of the chosen procedure, with particular emphasis on the bypass population.
