Probiotics – a Useful Aid in Weight Loss for Bariatric Surgery Patients
Bariatric surgery is a tool with many advantages that weight loss surgeons have to help obese people restore their life to a healthier quality. The weight loss process initiated by bariatric surgery requires the active involvement of the patient. A successful bariatric surgery procedure with no complications is the first step. Long-term, sustained weight loss depends almost entirely on the attitude of the patient and the ability to commit to life-long lifestyle changes. Any help the bariatric patient can get is welcome. There are many guidelines and tips on a healthy diet for weight loss surgery patients. This article treats one single "ingredient ": probiotics. It has been shown by several studies that probiotics helpimprove weight loss and also help prevent common side effects after weight loss surgery.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are naturallyoccurring livebacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to the health of the host. The most common of these used as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria, but sometimes yeasts and bacilli are also used. Probiotics are part of fermented foods that have active live cultures added. Such foods are:
Probiotics are known as friendly bacteria because they play anessential role in digestive processes, they contribute to improved immunity, and are also known to help with vitamin K. As a result of their bacterial activity the overall health of the body is much improved, harmful bacteria can be kept at a distance. A positive influence on maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery has also been observed.
The digestive tract after bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is a major operation and it has a great impact on the body of the patients. Physical changes are procedure-dependent, but all bariatric procedures affect the amount of food that can consumed at one meal, as well as the quality of food recommended to be consumed. It is perfectly normal that right after bariatric procedures the inner balance of the body is somewhat altered.
In addition to the changes made by the procedure itself antibiotic treatments, given to bariatric patients to ensure infection prevention and eventful recovery, have a wiping effect for all bacterial organisms, including probiotics. This is one of the reasons why weight loss surgery patients are recommended to start taking probiotic supplements or to consume foods with probiotics. It has been observed by weight loss surgery teams that bariatric patients who were administered probiotics after their surgery were able to lose significantly more weight than patients who did not take probiotics.
Health benefits of probiotics:
In addition to their beneficial role in the digestive process and the boost given to the immune system, probiotics have other health benefits such as:
As probiotics are of many types and their effects and implications on the health of the human body are multifaceted, it is important to consult with your bariatric surgeon before deciding on which type of probiotics to take, in which daily doses and for how long. A weight loss surgeon and a dietician have the necessary expertise and experience to assess your therapeutic needs and to recommend the optimal probiotic treatment that helps your quick recovery and long-term weight loss.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are naturallyoccurring livebacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to the health of the host. The most common of these used as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria, but sometimes yeasts and bacilli are also used. Probiotics are part of fermented foods that have active live cultures added. Such foods are:
- yogurt
- soy yogurt
- dietary supplements
Probiotics are known as friendly bacteria because they play anessential role in digestive processes, they contribute to improved immunity, and are also known to help with vitamin K. As a result of their bacterial activity the overall health of the body is much improved, harmful bacteria can be kept at a distance. A positive influence on maintaining weight loss after bariatric surgery has also been observed.
The digestive tract after bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is a major operation and it has a great impact on the body of the patients. Physical changes are procedure-dependent, but all bariatric procedures affect the amount of food that can consumed at one meal, as well as the quality of food recommended to be consumed. It is perfectly normal that right after bariatric procedures the inner balance of the body is somewhat altered.
In addition to the changes made by the procedure itself antibiotic treatments, given to bariatric patients to ensure infection prevention and eventful recovery, have a wiping effect for all bacterial organisms, including probiotics. This is one of the reasons why weight loss surgery patients are recommended to start taking probiotic supplements or to consume foods with probiotics. It has been observed by weight loss surgery teams that bariatric patients who were administered probiotics after their surgery were able to lose significantly more weight than patients who did not take probiotics.
Health benefits of probiotics:
In addition to their beneficial role in the digestive process and the boost given to the immune system, probiotics have other health benefits such as:
- Increase in vitamin B12 levels. This vitamin is an essential nutrient, often deficient in bariatric surgery patients, so supplementing it with the help of probiotics is important.
- Probiotics reduce of risks for intestinal inflammations, relatively common after some bariatric surgery procedures.
- Probiotics reduce the risks for diarrhea, which is a side effect of the treatmentwith antibiotics
As probiotics are of many types and their effects and implications on the health of the human body are multifaceted, it is important to consult with your bariatric surgeon before deciding on which type of probiotics to take, in which daily doses and for how long. A weight loss surgeon and a dietician have the necessary expertise and experience to assess your therapeutic needs and to recommend the optimal probiotic treatment that helps your quick recovery and long-term weight loss.
