Gut microbiota in bariatric surgery

Gut microbes share a symbiotic relationship with humans and perform several metabolic and physiological functions essential for human survival. It has been established in several scientific studies that obesity and other metabolic complications are always associated with disturbed gut microbiota profile, also called gut dysbiosis. In recent years, bariatric surgery has become a treatment of choice for weight loss, and it forms an important part of obesity management strategies across the globe. Interestingly, bariatric surgery has been shown to alter gut microbiota profile and synthesize short-chain fatty acids by gut microbes. In other words, gut microbes play a crucial role in better clinical outcomes associated with bariatric surgery. In addition, gut microbes are important in reducing weight and lowering the adverse events post-bariatric surgery. Therefore, several prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics are recommended for patients who underwent bariatric surgery procedures for better clinical outcomes. The present review aims to understand the possible association between gut microbes and bariatric surgery and present scientific evidence showing the beneficial role of gut microbes in improving therapeutic outcomes of bariatric surgery.