Woman Suffers Serious Vitamin Deficiency After Gastric Bypass Surgery

More consequences of the malpractice known as bariatric surgery.

"A woman developed disease because, after her weight-loss surgery, she did not take her multivitamin, as reported in a Case Report released on October 10, 2008 in The Lancet.

The obesity epidemic is well documented around the world, and has affected developed countries in great magnitude. One treatment for obesity is gastric bypass surgery, which actually limits the size of the stomach cavity to help curb the patient's appetite.

The woman, 27 years old, was admitted the hospital after three weeks of reported dizziness, loss of appetite, and vomiting. She had undergone gastric bypass surgery, without complications, at University College Hospital, London, UK.She was prescribed a standard treatment of multivitamins and lansoprazole, which prevents stomach acid production, upon discharge from the hospital.

When she was examined, she had lost almost 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and presented with a rapid heartbeat and dehydration. This led to an initial diagnosis of gastric outflow obstruction, but this diagnosis could not be confirmed by endoscopic examination. Blood tests were consistent with dehydration, so she was ultimately administered intravenous fluids with glucose and drank high-sugar energy drinks.

The following day, she collapsed in the shower due to light-headedness, and had an extremely low blood pressure. She was later observed to show abnormal eye movement, hyper-reflexia in her arms, weakness in thighs, and reduced touch sensation. This led to the ultimate diagnosis: thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. After administration of intravenous thiamine, the patient recovered. By her admission, she had not been taking her multivitamins.

This highlights an important health care guideline that must be carefully observed after gastric bypass surgery. Thymine storage in the body can last only 18 to 60 days, and deficiency causes the disorder known as Beriberi or Wernicke's encephalopathy, both of which were shown by the woman described in the report."

Oops.

Better to lose the weight properly than place yourself at risk of any complications.