Nutrition and Pregnancy after Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Obesity is an escalating problem in all age groups and it is observed to be more common in females than males. About 25% of women meet the criteria of obesity and one-third of them are in the reproductive age. Because morbid obesity requiring surgical treatment is observed with increasing frequency, surgeons and gynecologists are undergoing new challenges. It is not only a matter of women's health and their quality of life but also proper development of the fetus, which should be a concern during bariatric treatment. Therefore complex perinatal care has to be provided for morbid obesity patients. The paper reviews pregnancy and fertility issues in bariatric surgery patients.

Nutritional deficiencies in pregnancy after surgery for morbid obesity

“…Pregnancy anemia can be aggravated by various conditions such as uterine or placental bleedings, gastrointestinal bleedings, and peripartum blood loss. In addition to the general consequences of anemia, there are specific risks during pregnancy for the mother and the fetus such as intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, feto-placental miss ratio, and higher risk for peripartum blood transfusion [3,7,20,21].…”

“…All age groups face this problem but the incidence is greater for females. About 25% of women meet the obesity criteria, one-third of which are in the reproductive age [3].…”

“…or lactation since during both of these conditions the demands for micronutrients are increased [3,7]. Women of reproductive age are advised to avoid pregnancy for at least one year after surgical treatment of morbid obesity, but since at some point this will definitely occur for an increasing number of women, a review of the existing data concerning the nutritional status and needs after bariatric surgery can be very useful for any clinician dealing with these patients.…”

Svangerskap og fødsel etter fedmeoperasjon: Hva bør jordmødre vite?

“…Fedmekirurgi har de senere årene blitt et mer og mer kjent begrep, og stadig flere kvinner med fedme benytter seg av denne typen behandling (1). Dette medfører nye utfordringer for helsevesenet, og da spesielt for gynekologer og kirurger, men også for jordmødre.…”

“…Dette medfører nye utfordringer for helsevesenet, og da spesielt for gynekologer og kirurger, men også for jordmødre. Det handler ikke da bare om kvinnens helse og livskvalitet, men også om fosterets utvikling (1).…”