The importance of psychological and nutritional follow-up after bariatric surgery: Literature review

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease. The patient may present several clinical conditions associated with it. The clinical picture is complex, which can hinder the use of conventional treatments and methods. Bariatric surgery is an effective long-term treatment for this condition. Based on a literature review, the article aims to discuss the importance of post-bariatric psychological and nutritional follow-up. The fundamental question that underpits this study is: how can typical strategies in the postoperative period contribute to the individual undergoing surgery to give greater importance to his diet and mental health? The most effective treatment strategy has been bariatric surgery, however, the multidisciplinary evaluation that scores the patient’s biological, social and psychological status is fundamental, since psychopathological changes are common to obese individuals. Although bariatric surgery contributes to the improvement in the quality of life of patients, there needs to be greater attention to postoperative treatment. These individuals should be encouraged to continue with nutritional and psychological follow-up in the postoperative period, so that it is possible to prevent possible complications in the medium and long term.