Postoperative nutrition and nutritional complications in patients with bariatric surgery: An update

Abstract

Bariatric 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.