Assessment of nutrient intake in association with weight loss after gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity.

Postoperative nutrient intakes were examined in patients who were losing weight in an early period following gastric restrictive surgery for morbid obesity (3 to 6 months post-surgery), and patients whose reduced weight was relatively stable at 1 to 2 years post-surgery. In association with weight loss, patients showed increased physical activity and reduced energy intakes which were frequently less than the Recommended Daily Intakes (RDI), particularly in the early period. Protein intake was also below recommended levels in the two post-operative phases. The intakes of iron, folate and calcium were below the recommended levels in the early postoperative phase. The intakes of iron and folate were also below recommended levels in the late postoperative phase. The study indicates the potential for deficiencies of iron, folate and calcium after gastric restrictive surgery and supports the importance of careful and prolonged follow-up of these patients, with particular attention to nutritional status.