What Causes Osteomalacia?

Specific Surgeries

Osteomalacia can be caused by specific surgeries such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Surgeries like this can affect the way the body absorbs nutrients because they involve a part of the abdomen or small intestine being removed. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a procedure where the abdomen is divided into two sections. The doctor will create a small section on the top and a large one at the bottom. The smaller division is made into a pouch and connected to the jejunum of the small intestine. Once Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery has been completed, the food will bypass the lower and larger section of the abdomen. As a result, the body absorbs lesser amounts of nutrients.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a common treatment for obese patients. The doctor(s) may perform the operation through open surgery or with a laparoscope. Another weight loss surgical operation, sleeve gastrectomy, can also cause nutrient deficiencies. During this procedure, eighty to eighty-five percent of the abdomen is removed. In some cases, the doctor(s) will remove more.