Nutritional status of Saudi obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, one-year follow-up study

Bariatric surgery has significantly increased globally as an effective treatment for severe obesity. Nutritional deficits are common among candidates for bariatric surgery, and follow-up of nutritional status is critically needed for post-surgery healthcare management. This observational prospective study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh. Samples were collected pre- and post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), with the visit intervals divided into four visits: pre-surgery (0M), 3 months (3M), 6 months (6M) and 12 months (12M). Food intake and eating patterns significantly changed during the first year (<i>P</i> < 0·001). The mean energy intake at 3M post-surgery was 738·3 kcal, significantly lower than the pre-surgery energy intake of 2059 kcal. Then, it increased gradually at 6M and 12M to reach 1069 kcal (<i>P</i> < 0·00). The intake of Fe, vitamin B₁₂ and vitamin D was below the dietary reference intake recommendations, as indicated by the 24-hour dietary recall. The prevalence of 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency improved significantly from pre- to post-surgery (<i>P</i> < 0·001). Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency was less reported pre-LSG and improved steadily towards a sufficient post-surgery status. However, 35·7 % of participants were deficient in Fe status, with 28·6% being female at higher levels than males. While protein supplementation decreased significantly over the 12M follow-up, the use of vitamin supplements dramatically increased at 3 and 6M before declining at 12M. Fe and vitamin B₁₂ were the most popular supplements after vitamin D. This study confirms the necessity for individualised dietary plans and close monitoring of candidates' nutritional status before and after bariatric surgery.