[Very low calorie diets in clinical management of morbid obesity]

Morbid obesity and its complications are an increasingly prevalent problem. Very low calorie diets (VLCD), providing between 450 and 800 kcal per day, are an option increasingly used. After proper patient selection, VLCD can result in significant weight loss in 8-16 weeks, contributing to improve control of chronic complications such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia (except for initial elevation of HDL cholesterol) and apnea-hypopnea syndrome. VLDC are increasingly used prior to bariatric surgery, showing a decrease in hepatic steatosis and visceral abdominal fat. Although the results of the different studies are controversial, preoperative use of VLDC may decrease the rate of perioperative complications, operative time and hospital length of stay. a drastic decrease in intake occurs after bariatric surgery, with risk of protein deficiency, which should be frequently corrected with supplementation by protein modules. Side effects such as cholelithiasis, hyperuricemia and bone loss among others should be monitored in patients undergoing this type of diet.