LAUSR

The number of bariatric surgeries performed is increasing due to the rising incidence of obesity. It is known that mineral deficiencies can occur in the postoperative period for these procedures. We examined the prevalence of zinc and copper deficiencies before and after various bariatric procedures, with the aim of assessing the relevance of current recommendations, specifically the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) guidelines, regarding monitoring and supplementation. We retrospectively analysed data of 327 patients who underwent one of three bariatric operations: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and mini-gastric bypass (MGB) between January 2018 and December 2019. Copper and zinc serum levels prior to surgery, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operation were collected. Preoperatively, 56.7% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery were zinc deficient and 32.4% had hypercupraemia. Twelve months post-surgery, 42.9% of RYGB, 35.3% of SG, and 57.7% of MGB patients with preoperative zinc deficiency presented again with a zinc deficiency requiring supplementation. Only 1 patient displayed copper deficiency preoperatively, and 6 postoperatively. Screening for zinc and copper deficiencies at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, rather than at 3 months, is a more clinical and cost-effective strategy.