Postoperative Nutrition and Nutritional Complications in Patients with Bariatric Surgery: An Update

Abstract

Introduction Therapeutic options for obesity have trended toward bariatric surgeries in recent decades. Bariatric surgery involves different procedures that can be restrictive, malabsorptive, or a combination of both. Malabsorptive procedures lead to weight loss by intestinal segment bypass that reduces food absorption. Restrictive procedures lead to weight loss by restricting food intake (1). Restrictive procedures include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), and vertical band gastroplasty. Malabsorptive procedures inBariatric surgery is the most effective therapeutic option for long-term weight loss among patients with morbid obesity. Nutrition after bariatric surgery is a very specialized condition. The most severe complications that can develop after bariatric surgery are nutritional deficiencies and the diseases related to them, such as anemia and osteoporosis. Screening associated with nutritional deficiencies should be performed preoperatively to optimize the postoperative outcomes and the nutritional status of patients. Bariatric surgeries such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) reduce nutrient absorption. Moreover, bariatric surgery can exacerbate preexisting nutritional deficiencies. Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery should be followed up for common micronutrient deficiencies and protein-calorie malnutrition. There are gaps in the postoperative follow-up of these patients. This review aimed to focus on the postoperative nutritional strategies and nutritional complications in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.