Bariatric Surgery Complications: How a Vitamin Deficiency Left a 21-Year-Old Paralyzed
A 21-year-old Israeli man who suffered severe nerve damage and temporary paralysis following bariatric surgery shares his harrowing recovery and warns others about the critical importance of post-operative vitamin compliance.
Yehuda Eglanov, a 21-year-old who struggled with severe obesity since childhood, underwent bariatric surgery last May in an effort to prioritize his health. However, a few weeks after the procedure, he began experiencing weakness in his limbs, numbness, and a burning sensation that steadily worsened. "From my knees to the middle of my abdomen I felt nothing, I was practically paralyzed," he recalls, noting that he required a wheelchair and assistance with almost every daily activity.
Medical tests at the hospital revealed that due to a failure to follow post-operative guidelines, Eglanov developed a severe deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals, leading to significant nervous system damage. For the past two months, he has been hospitalized at the Reuth Rehabilitation Hospital in Tel Aviv, working to regain his mobility and independence.
"I never thought that something as small as a multivitamin pill could land me in the hospital," Eglanov said in an interview. "It sounds so trivial to follow the diet and take vitamins after surgery, but if you don't, it can cause massive damage. I was lucky to get to the hospital in time, but the doctor's warning is permanently engraved in my mind: he told me that if I had waited another week, I might have been confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life."
The Dangers of Neglecting Post-Operative Guidelines
There are several types of bariatric surgeries, including gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass procedures. All of them reduce stomach volume and affect hunger cues, but gastric bypass surgeries—such as the one Eglanov underwent—also significantly impact the absorption of nutrients.
Dr. Diana Goldin, head of the rehabilitation department at Reuth, explained that metabolic deficiencies can cause peripheral neuropathy, manifested by limb weakness, neuropathic pain characterized by tingling, stabbing, and burning sensations, and in severe cases, the complete loss of the ability to walk.
"The metabolic deficiency can cause damage to the peripheral nervous system, expressed in limb weakness and neuropathic pain... and sometimes even extreme leg weakness and loss of the ability to walk," Dr. Goldin noted.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Following weeks of intravenous vitamin therapy, dietary adjustments, and intensive rehabilitation—including physical therapy and occupational therapy—Eglanov recently managed to take his first steps using a walker. While making steady physical progress, he admits that coping with the loss of independence and the emotional toll has been one of the hardest parts of the journey.
Nili Becher, a clinical dietitian at Reuth, emphasized that bariatric patients must strictly adhere to lifelong vitamin supplementation and routine blood tests, regardless of their age at the time of surgery. Professionals utilize high-calorie and protein-dense foods, such as tahini, halva, and protein powders, to help recovering patients maintain muscle mass and meet their nutritional needs.
Eglanov hopes his story serves as a cautionary tale for others undergoing similar procedures. "First of all, make sure you have a strong support system from your family," he advises. "And second, take your vitamins. It sounds so trivial, but it is vitally important."
