Mom of six, “malabsorption” might not have been the best word I wanted to use, so in that respect you are correct. However, a person who has bariatric surgery including lap-band, has a higher incidence of not getting sufficient nutrients, either through malabsorption, or not eating the proper diet after surgery. When one can only comfortably eat a little food at a time, one must be VERY judicious in the choices of the food that will be eaten.
Had the person been able to that well to begin with, they would not have needed to go through such a drastic means as surgery. This surgery is a godsend for many, but realistically only a temporary bandaid for many others. I have seen great results and I have also seen disastrous ones. I am not ignorant on the subject, as you seem to think. This requires a lifestyle change, and many patients are unable to follow through with that commitment.