Associations between Zinc Deficiency, Taste Changes, and Salivary Flow Rates following Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeries

Figure 1

Mean zinc levels change at baseline and follow-up. A notable decline in zinc levels was seen following SG over the 3-month follow-up period, in comparison to the baseline measurements (71.4 ± 15.2 vs. 76.90 ± 11.41). Likewise, a notable reduction in zinc concentrations was seen following GB surgery throughout the 3-month follow-up period, as compared to the initial measurements (68.9 ± 12.7 vs. 85.64 ± 17.0). At the six-month mark, there was an observed rise in zinc levels among patients in the SG group (mean: 84.9 ± 21.6), whereas patients in the GB group had a further reduction in zinc levels (mean: 67.5 ± 9.16).