Water-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies Following Laparoscopic Single-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass

Water-soluble vitamins include the B-complex group – thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12) – as well as vitamin C. These vitamins cannot be made by the body and must be regularly ingested in small quantities to prevent disorders of metabolism.

After food consumption, water-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the small bowel and utilized in several body processes. The body’s limited capacity to store water-soluble vitamins leaves patients particularly prone to the consequences of vitamin deficiencies following weight loss procedures. So far, no studies have identified the impact of a single-anastomotic gastric bypass on water-soluble vitamin levels.

Aim:

• To determine the prevalence of pre surgery water soluble vitamin deficiencies in bariatric (weight loss) surgery candidates (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² or BMI ≥ 35kg/m² with obesity-related comorbidities)

• To determine the incidence of long term water-soluble vitamin deficiency in participants who have had single-anastomosis gastric bypass

• To evaluate the effectiveness of current nutritional and supplement strategies in recruited participants