Adequate Nutritional Supplementation for Pregnant Women Post-Bariatric Surgery: a Necessity

Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) improves fertility in women of reproductive age resulting in more spontaneous or planned conception after surgery. It is recommended to postpone pregnancy until weight loss stabilizes, occurring typically a year after MBS [1]. This helps to achieve maximal weight loss and lowers the risk of nutritional deficiencies [2]. However, a considerable number of women become pregnant after MBS, even within this period. There’s an increased risk of developing macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies following MBS. Nutritional deficiencies should be considered due to anatomical changes and food restrictions following this procedure [3]. Moreover, nutrient needs increase during pregnancy as the fetus grows and maternal blood volume increases, leading to more significant deficiencies [2]. These deficiencies can have a negative impact on fetal development and growth and maternal health. Therefore, nutritional considerations and adequate nutritional supplementation are essential for pregnant women with a history of MBS. …