Nutritional Challenges and Treatment After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is an important weight loss tool in individuals with severeo besity. It is currently the most effective long-term weight loss treatmentthat lowers obesity-related comorbidities. It also has significant physi-ological and nutritional consequences that can result in gastrointestinalcomplications and micronutrient deficiencies. After gastric bypass, clini-cal events that negatively affect nutritional status include malabsorption, dumping syndrome, kidney stones, altered intestinal bile acid availability, bowel obstruction,ulcers,gastroesophageal reflux,and bacterial overgrowth.Risk factors for poor nutritional status and excessive loss of lean body massand bone include reduced dietary quality and inadequate intake, alterednutrient absorption, and poor patient compliance with nutrient supplemen-tation. There are unique concerns in adolescents, older individuals, andindividuals who become pregnant postoperatively. With careful manage-ment, health-care professionals can assist with long-term weight loss success and minimize the risk of acute and long-term nutrition complications after bariatric surgery.