Korea University Anam Hospital (KUAH) said Thursday that more than 70 percent of medical institutions that perform bariatric surgery in the world prescribe postoperative micronutrient supplements less than the amount recommended in the guidelines.
The research team, led by Professor Park Sung-soo, said bariatric surgery treats obesity and metabolic diseases by lowering the absorption of nutrients through surgical methods by shrinking the stomach.
However, the timing of micronutrient testing after bariatric metabolic surgery has not been determined in the guidelines. Each surgery center performs tests with its schedule, highlighting the need for a standard guide.
The research team conducted a study on the postoperative micronutrient status and appropriate time for patients to undergo examination after bariatric surgery.
Based on studies previously published by various institutions worldwide, researchers performed a meta-analysis of 14,706 patients who received bariatric and metabolic surgery through Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and sleeve resection.
The study results showed that most of the bariatric and metabolic surgery centers neglected micronutrient supplementation.
“It is necessary to check iron at least twice a year and once for vatinam B12 a year to prevent micronutrient deficiency in advance,” Professor Kwon Yeong-keun said. “
Researcher Ha Jane also said, “Even if patients take nutritional supplements slightly less than the recommended amount, most people can sufficiently prevent micronutrient deficiencies after surgery, and that it is important to take regular nutritional supplements along with tests.”
Professor Park added that all obesity and metabolism centers worldwide have presented a comprehensive micronutrient test schedule for reference when treating patients.
“Our suggestion may provide a monitoring schedule for accurate testing at the right time and lower the cost for examination,” Park said.
The study results were published in the latest issue of the World Obesity Federation’s Obesity Reviews.