Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Nutritional Status

Background: Obesity trends continue to rise, and bariatric surgery has been deemed the only obesity treatment option which provides long term weight loss success. The Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is relatively new with excellentweight loss and minimal long term consequences. Due to the novelty of this procedure long term effects on nutritional status have yet to be clearly defined. Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to establish a baseline nutritional status, record prevalence of nutritional deficiency, as well as determine weight loss success in the LSG patient during the first 12 month post-surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all LSG patients at a bariatric center in Ohio was performed. Twenty-seven patient charts were included with surgery dates between July 2008 and August 2010. Standard nutrition indicators were evaluated and only data from patients who had all three time points (initial, 6 months and 12 months) were used in the statistical analysis. Medical charts were excluded only due to surgical complications. Results: Average weight loss of 106.66±34.24 pounds over the first twelve months post LSG was noted. Nutritional status indicators which were highly significant (p<.002) include white blood cells and glucose. Both indicators appeared to decline over the course of the pilot study. The indicators which may be significant in other nutritional evaluations of LSG include protein, HDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, MCV and MCH. Indicators, such as protein, albumin, vitaminB12, and iron, which could be seriously affected by the anatomical changes of the LSG, were not significantly affected in the results of this pilot study. A decrease in protein over time was noted as significant with an alpha of .05 indicating that this decrease could be seen in other studies.Conclusions: In this biased patient population, the LSG does not appear to pose a threat to nutritional status. More research should be performed to review micronutrient status post LSG. The relationship between the white blood cell decline and the LSG requires further investigation. Indicators which require more research in relation to LSG include HDL, cholesterol, protein, triglycerides, MCV, and MCH.