Background: Although widely applied, there is no consensus about the characteristics of the diets prescribed in the immediate preoperative period of bariatric surgery (BS). The objective of this study was to perform a survey on preoperative dietary management in BS centers.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with BS Brazilian centers. Only BS centers with certificate of excellence by Surgical Review Corporation were included. An electronic questionnaire was applied to assess details about the dietary management in the immediate preoperative period of BS.
Results: Of the 15 centers invited, 80% (n = 12) answered the questionnaire. Preoperative weight loss was required to patients in all 12 centers. For 8.3% (n = 1), this request was applied to all patients; 91.7% (n = 11) of the centers requested weight loss in specific cases. Ten (83.3%) centers prescribed restrictive diets; none of these adopted a standard dietary protocol. The caloric value of the diets ranged from 800 to 2000 kcal/day. The duration of the diet ranged from 10 to 20 days in 40% (n = 4) of the centers and from 20 to 90 days in 60% (n = 6) of the centers. Dietary prescription was based on team consensus in 100% (n = 12) of the centers. In 33.3% (n = 4) of the centers, scientific evidence supporting dietary prescription was cited.
Conclusion: This study identified the frequent practice of requesting preoperative weight loss and the diversity of diets used in the immediate preoperative period by Brazilian BS centers. Future guideline proposal is needed on preoperative BS diets.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Liver size reduction; Obesity; Preoperative diet; Weight loss.