L. Barrea, L. Verde, L. Schiavo, G. Sarno, E. Camajani, A. Iannelli, M. Caprio, V. Pilone, A. Colao, et al. (2023). Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) as Pre-Operative First-Line Dietary Therapy in Patients with Obesity Who Are Candidates for Bariatric Surgery. Nutrients, 15(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081907

PubMed 37111126

[Abstract]
Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective method for achieving long-term weight loss and reducing the risk of comorbidities and mortality in individuals with severe obesity. The pre-operative diet is an important factor in determining patients' suitability for surgery, as well as their post-operative outcomes and success in achieving weight loss. Therefore, the nutritional management of bariatric patients requires specialized expertise. Very low-calorie diets and intragastric balloon placement have already been studied and shown to be effective in promoting pre-operative weight loss. In addition, the very low-calorie ketogenic diet has a well-established role in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but its potential role as a pre-operative dietary treatment prior to bariatric surgery has received less attention. Thus, this article will provide a brief overview of the current evidence on the very low-calorie ketogenic diet as a pre-operative dietary treatment in patients with obesity who are candidates for bariatric surgery.