Gastric bypass and bariatric surgery causes deficiencies, mal-absorption of food

Hyderabad: Gastric bypass and bariatric surgery is not recommended for all overweight people as it comes with side effects like mal-absorption of food leading to vitamin deficiency and nutritional imbalances.

These aspects are being studied and the surgeries are recommended only in extreme cases of obesity.

Dr Rakesh Sahay, endocrinologist with Mediciti Hospitals, said, “Those who undergo this surgery have to be given supplements so that the deficiency created in the body can be tackled.”

The surgery helps reduce the intake of food but not the hunger pangs. Individuals undergoing this surgery need to counselled. This counselling requires therapy after the surgery where behaviour modifications are worked out.

Nutritionist Madhurima Sinha, said, “The craving for food is always there because the body cells take time to adapt to the fact that they have to make do with whatever food is being supplied to them.”

There is an emotional relation with food. The patient has to accept the low-intake and even denial of foods. The inability to eat to one’s heart’s content is often a criteria that is dealt with in the therapy.

The metabolic changes help do away with the disease but patients are counselled to exercise and lead a physically active life.