Patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery (RYGBP)…

May 26, 2022 | Internal Medicine

Patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery (RYGBP) need lifelong monitoring for deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals
As is well known, gastric bypass along with gastric sleeve and gastric ring are the most common weight loss surgeries. While the latter two are restrictive in terms of food intake, the former combines restriction along with reduced absorption of food components, since a small intestine is also removed. This is why the administration of vitamins and minerals is necessary after such an operation. It should be noted here that the usual doses are not sufficient. If we take vitamin D, for example, whose usual doses are 800 to 1000 units, doses of 5000 units are recommended for people with gastric bypass. Also another permanent deficiency in patients with gastric bypass is zinc deficiency. Six months after surgery, absorption is significantly reduced and remains deficient for some time. Zinc is important for many body functions such as cell growth and immune system development. These patients will experience dry skin, broken nails and hair loss and higher than usual doses are recommended. If you are planning to have such a procedure or have already had one, check with your doctors about the treatment to be taken afterwards to maintain proper functioning of your body.