Dietetic Follow-up after Surgery for Obesity

At present, bariatric surgery is probably the only therapeutic option that will lead to a long-term and high-degree reduction in weight and, respectively, reduction or cure of the sequelae of class III obesity (BMI > 40). In Germany such operations are being performed in increasing numbers. Apart from the limited follow-up management within the mostly university surgical centres, there is currently no adequate follow-up infrastructure for outpatients. Follow-up management after bariatric surgery should not first commence in the postoperative period, the surgical treatment is rather an important building block in a total therapeutic concept for the various classes of obesity. The decision for surgery should be made by an interdisciplinary team. Together with special medical diagnostics and treatment according to the patient's individual situation and the operative procedure chosen, a multidisciplinary follow-up (nutritionists, behavioural specialists, dieticians and physiotherapists) is essential. The Specialist Practice for Nutritional Medicine (Schwerpunktpraxis Ernshrungsmedizin, BDEM) fulfils the structural requirements but adequate financial resources for management and follow-up are still lacking.