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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

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Submitted
December 20, 2025
Published
December 21, 2025

Copyright (c) 2025 Abdullah Mishal Almutairi, Prof. Mohammed A. Alsaif

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Assessment of The Long-Term Negative Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Health in Saudi Adults, over 3 Years after Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study

https://doi.org/10.64483/202522347
Abdullah Mishal Almutairi
Clinical Dietitian, King Saud Medical City, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed A. Alsaif
Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy, Clinical Nutrition Consultant, Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author(s) : Abdullah Mishal Almutairi

Akk297@gmail.com

Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Abstract

Background: Bariatric surgery is a highly effective therapy for serious obesity. However, it has certain long-term complications that are due to deficiencies in nutrients, malabsorption, and weight loss. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of long-term complications and associated factors after bariatric surgery among Saudi Arabian adults.


Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia between March 1-14, 2021. The sample was 497 subjects above 18 years of age, both sexes, and greater than 3 years post-bariatric surgery. A specially designed and validated online questionnaire was posted on social media.


Results: The sample was 495 subjects (36.6% male, 63.4% female). The average BMI upon study was 29.07. Frequent long-term complications included hair loss (68.5%), mood swings (50.5%), bone pain (43.8%), lethargy (41.2%), anemia (23.4%), and gallstone diagnosis (19.3%). Gallstone development had a significant association with a post-operative time of over 5 years (p=0.020). Bone pain (p=0.000) and muscle cramps (p=0.000) were reported by females than by males. Moreover, significant weight regain was observed in the subjects operated 5 or more years ago, with an average BMI of 31.48±7.351 (p=0.000).


Conclusion: This study indicates the high prevalence of long-term micronutrient deficiency symptoms and other associated health problems following bariatric surgery in the Saudi population despite presumed compliance with supplementation programs. Weight regain is also reported to be a significant problem after 5 years. The findings highlight the importance of intensive long-term follow-up, patient-centered nutritional management, and public education initiatives about the potential lifelong consequences of bariatric surgery.

Keywords

Adverse effect, bariatric surgery, long-term, nutritional deficiencies, Saudi Arabia, weight regain.
Almutairi, A. M., & Mohammed A. Alsaif. (2025). Assessment of The Long-Term Negative Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Health in Saudi Adults, over 3 Years after Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 1822–1828. https://doi.org/10.64483/202522347
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