Chat
Cite this page
FeedbackBariatric surgeries are increasingly used to treat overweight and obese patients who have clinically relevant signs and symptoms. Approximately 228,000 bariatric surgeries were performed in the United States in 2017. These procedures can be successful in reversing many adverse syndromes associated with obesity (including type II diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease ), but there are risks and complications to consider, such as the exacerbation of preexisting nutritional deficiencies and the development of new ones. Some deficiencies present soon after surgery, but the late presentation of nutritional deficiencies is increasingly recognized to contribute to poor outcomes or devastating complications. Bariatric surgeries that use a restrictive technique may lead to nutritional deficiencies due to low intake, whereas restrictive surgeries combined with malabsorptive techniques, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), may lead to nutritional deficiencies due to either low intake or malabsorption. Therefore, long-term monitoring for nutritional deficiencies is indicated following gastric bypass surgeries.
Quick Answers for Clinicians
Bariatric surgeries can be classified as restrictive or malabsorptive. Restrictive procedures reduce the volume or capacity of the stomach. Malabsorptive procedures reduce the amount of calories absorbed by altering the flow of the food. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most popular surgeries. SG is a restrictive procedure; RYGB is a dual malabsorptive and restrictive technique. Adjustable gastric binding (AGB) and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) are also available, but account for only a small percentage of bariatric surgeries (3.4% and 0.6%, respectively, in 2016).
Individuals being considered for bariatric surgery should have a preoperative nutritional assessment to identify deficiencies that may predispose them to higher risk of nutritional deficiencies postsurgery. When possible, these deficiencies should be corrected before surgery. Common testing includes vitamins, folate (ie, vitamin B9), iron, ferritin, and calcium. See Laboratory Testing for full list of testing to consider.
The same tests used for preoperative assessment are also used postsurgery. The biochemical and nutritional testing schedule varies depending on the type of surgery. Refer to the tables in Monitoring for full schedules.
Indications for Testing
Before bariatric surgery, individuals should be assessed for nutritional status. Patients who have undergone surgical modification of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract for management of obesity should also be monitored postsurgery for nutritional deficiencies.
Laboratory Testing
Preoperative Assessment
Individuals being considered for bariatric surgery should have baseline biochemical and nutritional testing performed to identify deficiencies that may predispose them to a higher risk of deficiencies after surgery; deficiencies should be corrected before surgery when possible. Micronutrient testing to consider includes the following:
Vitamins
Vitamin D and calcium levels should be assessed. Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy is a marker of vitamin D stores in the body and is the preferred test. Vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxy is indicated for renal disease and other special situations and is less commonly used. Calcium may be reduced due to changes in food preferences. Calcium status can be assessed by measuring levels of ionized calcium in serum or whole blood, whereas urinary calcium (24-hour levels) can identify hypocalcuria.
Vitamin B1 should be measured to evaluate patients for thiamine deficiency. Whole blood specimens are required for accurate analysis. Patients should also be assessed for vitamin B12 deficiency, which may take longer to present due to the body’s ability to maintain large stores of the vitamin. B12 deficiency may result from intrinsic factor decrease and loss of absorptive surface. Serum methyl malonic acid (MMA) is the recommended test for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Patients should be evaluated for folate (B9) deficiency, which is rarely seen due to consumption of fortified foods. Tests for vitamins A, E, and K should be considered as well.
Trace Elements
Recommended mineral testing includes zinc testing and iron studies. Zinc deficiency is common in patients with obesity and may be linked to metabolic syndrome. Iron studies include laboratory tests for iron, iron binding capacity, and ferritin. Iron deficiency may be present before surgery and may be exacerbated by the loss of absorptive surface and/or changes in food preferences. Ferritin testing can be used to evaluate patients for iron deficiency anemia. Ferritin, an acute phase reactant, is the most sensitive marker for iron deficiency anemia, but may be affected by inflammation. Iron and iron binding capacity testing should be used periodically to verify accuracy of ferritin testing; however, this testing is not as sensitive as ferritin testing.
Copper, magnesium, and phosphorous tests should be considered as well.
Postoperative Monitoring
The postoperative schedule for biochemical and nutritional testing is based on type of surgery: sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or RYGB.
| Analyte | Time Postsurgery (mos) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | Annually Thereafter | |
| Vitamin D | X | X | X | ||||
| Calcium | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Vitamin B1 | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Vitamin B6 | X | X | Xa | ||||
| Vitamin B12 | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Vitamin E | X | ||||||
| Zinc | X | X | X | ||||
| Iron | X | X | X | ||||
| Ferritin | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Magnesium | X | X | |||||
| Phosphorous | X | X | X | ||||
| Transferrin | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Parathyroid hormone | X | X | X | X | |||
| aEvery 2-5 yrs | |||||||
ARUP Lab Tests
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Ion-Selective Electrode/pH Electrode
Ion-Selective Electrode/pH Electrode
Quantitative Spectrophotometry
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative Spectrophotometry
Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative Spectrophotometry
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Quantitative Spectrophotometry
Quantitative Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay
Medical Experts
Frank
References
-
29518206
Endocr Rev
201839279-132PubMed -
28392254
Surg Obes Relat Dis
2017135727-741PubMed -
26185175
BMJ Open
201557e006964PubMed -
21051578
J Clin Endocrinol Metab
201095114823-43PubMed
31682518
Mechanick JI, Apovian C, Brethauer S, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutrition, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of patients undergoing bariatric procedures - 2019 update: cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology, The Obesity Society, American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society of Anesthesiologists - executive summary. Endocr Pract. 2019;25(12):1346–1359.
25078533
Aliment Pharmacol Ther
30151974
Whitfield KC, Bourassa MW, Adamolekun B, et al. Thiamine deficiency disorders: diagnosis, prevalence, and a roadmap for global control programs. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018;1430(1):3–43.
