PAU Hospitals Obesity Center Dietitian Elvan Nalçacı shared the following information in her statement: “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is the excessive accumulation of fat in the body to the extent that it impairs health. Obesity is more common in societies that adopt a sedentary lifestyle and overeat. According to the WHO, obesity is considered one of the 10 most risky diseases, and its prevalence is increasing in Turkey as well as around the world. For patients struggling with morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome, achieving weight loss before surgery facilitates the preoperative and postoperative process and reduces complications. First, a detailed medical history should be taken from patients. In the preoperative period, patients are generally given healthy nutrition recommendations. The diet program should be individualized and must include sufficient energy, macro and micronutrients. In our Obesity Center, patients are followed for at least 12 months with medical nutrition therapy, behavioral therapy, physical activity, and medication. Patients are periodically called for check-ups, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach is adopted with a dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist, and our unit nurse. Patients who cannot achieve weight loss after this program are referred to Prof. Dr. Onur Birsen, General Surgeon and Head of the Obesity Surgery Unit. Patients deemed eligible for obesity surgery by Prof. Dr. Birsen are then consulted by other departments for surgical evaluation. If approved by other units, the patients are admitted, and laparoscopic obesity surgery is performed.”

Dietitian Elvan Nalçacı: “Proper Nutrition After Surgery Accelerates Recovery and Prevents Muscle Loss.”

Emphasizing that the purpose of postoperative nutrition is to facilitate recovery and prevent muscle loss by ensuring the intake of adequate energy, macro, and micronutrients in the diet, Dietitian Elvan Nalçacı stated that maintaining adequate and balanced nutrition also helps reduce the risks of postoperative complications. Pointing out that a five-step treatment method is applied after bariatric surgery, Dietitian Nalçacı continued: “After bariatric surgery, patients are required to consume very low calories, and some procedures prevent nutrient absorption, causing deficiencies in protein, vitamins, and minerals. In this process, adequate multivitamin and protein supplementation must be provided to prevent muscle loss. Vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and vitamin D deficiencies are frequently observed after bariatric surgery. Multivitamin supplementation should be initiated in the early postoperative period. From the second day onwards, 1–2 multivitamins per day are recommended. Patients should undergo biochemical tests at regular intervals after surgery. If deficiencies are detected, further treatments are provided in addition to these recommendations. Protein requirements after bariatric surgery vary according to the patient and the type of surgery. In order to prevent muscle mass loss and protein malnutrition, protein needs must be met in a short time. While the daily energy intake of patients decreases in the postoperative period, their protein requirement increases. All these needs are regulated by us. Obesity surgery should be performed by specialized healthcare professionals with a multidisciplinary team. In the postoperative period, the patient’s nutrition should be individually tailored, and deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and proteins should be corrected with recommended supportive treatments based on periodic tests. The psychological condition of the patient should also be monitored by a specialized psychologist. Our hospital’s obesity surgery team prioritizes the patient’s overall well-being in the subsequent process.”