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The Skinny on a Growing Problem: Dry Beriberi after Bariatric Surgery
- Marc R. Matrana, MD, MS;
- Sreekanth Vasireddy, MD; and
- William E. Davis, MD
- From Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA 70121.
Background: Gastric bypass surgery has become a popular and effective way to treat obesity. More than 100 000 procedures are performed annually (1). Gastric bypass typically results in long-term weight loss, but the procedure has multiple inherent risks and associated complications.
Objective: To describe a case of severe thiamine deficiency after gastric bypass.
Case Report: A 37-year-old woman with morbid obesity underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 3 months before presentation. Her operation had been uncomplicated, but she received no follow-up care. Two weeks before presentation, the patient developed mild paresthesia of the anterior right leg. Two days before presentation, her parasthesia worsened and began to involve the left leg as well. At that time, she also noted bilateral progressive weakness of the lower extremities. One day …
