Bariatric surgery is considered one of the most effective methods of achieving long-term weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Nevertheless, bariatric procedures are associated with a number of complications, and nutrient deficiencies can lead to deleterious consequences. Furthermore, the diet of patients prior to bariatric surgery is often of poor nutrition quality that does not meet the recommended dietary guidelines for micronutrient intake. Therefore, optimization of the postoperative nutritional status should begin before surgery. This review covers the essential information about micronutrient management in patients before and after bariatric surgery.

Paradoxically, the obese are more susceptible to malnutrition. The more obese they are, the greater the risk for micronutrient deficiencies particularly in fat-soluble vitamins and anti-oxidants. Several micronutrient deficiencies could be worsened because of poor intake and absorption difficulty after bariatric surgery. Micronutrient deficiencies could not only decrease the effect of bariatric surgery but also cause various diseases such as anemia, neurologic impairment, or osteoporosis. Micronutrient deficiencies should be monitored, recognized, and corrected properly in bariatric patients in order to maximize the effect of surgery and improve the health-related quality of life.