Micronutrient management following bariatric surgery: the role of the dietitian in the postoperative period

Emma Osland; Hilary Powlesland; Taylor Guthrie; Carrie-Anne Lewis; Muhammed Ashraf Memon

doi:10.21037/atm.2019.06.04

Micronutrient management following bariatric surgery: the role of the dietitian in the postoperative period

Ann Transl Med. 2020 Mar;8(Suppl 1):S9. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.06.04.

Authors

Emma Osland^{1

2}, Hilary Powlesland¹, Taylor Guthrie¹, Carrie-Anne Lewis^{1

3}, Muhammed Ashraf Memon^{4

5

6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
² School of Human Movement and Nutrition Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
³ Mayne Medical School, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ Sunnybank Obesity Centre, McCullough Centre, Sunnybank, Queensland, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
⁶ School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences, International Centre for Applied Climate Sciences and Centre for Health Sciences Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Faculty of Health and Social Science, Bolton University, Bolton, Lancashire, UK.

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is increasingly being utilized to manage obesity and obesity related comorbidities, but may lead to the development of micronutrient deficiencies postoperatively. The anatomical, physiological, nutritional and behavioral reasons for micronutrient vulnerabilities are reviewed, along with recommendations for routine monitoring and replacement following surgery. The role the dietitian and their contribution in the postoperative identification, prevention and management of micronutrient vulnerabilities in bariatric patients is described. Specific considerations such as the nutritional and dietetic management of pregnant and lactating women post-bariatric surgery is also discussed.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; dietitian; micronutrient deficiency; nutrition assessment; pregnancy.

Publication types

Review