Objective To summarize and analyze the research progression of zinc deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass （RYGB） surgery. Method The domestic and international published literatures about zinc deficiency after RYGB in recent years were reviewed. Results There was a degree of zinc deficiency after RYGB surgery， its mechanisms had not been fully clarified， which were related to reduced intake and absorption of zinc， protein malnutrition， dietary factors， and specific ways of surgery and the zinc supplementation programmes after operation would also affect the postoperative zinc nutritional status. Conclusions Reasons for zinc deficiency after RYGB surgery are multifaceted and have not been clarified. Further research is needed to provide experimental and theoretical basis for management of zinc nutritional status after RYGB surgery.