Ep 36 – Postoperative follow-up of people who have undergone bariatric surgery

In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the role of the primary care practitioner in the long-term follow-up of people who have undergone bariatric surgery. She highlights the current variability in monitoring and makes listeners aware of where to access the current guidance on postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement.

Key references discussed in the episode:

• Mears R, et al. Br J Gen Pract. 2021;71:248-249. doi: 10.3399/bjgp21X715757.
• Parretti HM, et al. Br J Gen Pract. 2021;71:e441-e449. doi: 10.3399/bjgp20X714161.
• BOMSS Guidelines on peri-operative and postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. 2014.
• Obesity: identification, assessment and management. CG189. 2014.

Key take-home messages from the episode:

• Long-term follow up of nutritional status is important in those who have undergone bariatric surgery.
• Nutritional deficiencies can have significant long-term consequences.
• Guidance on blood monitoring and managing nutritional deficiencies is available from the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society.