Gut bacteria may hold key to better heart health after Weight-Loss surgery

This study follows 300 people who are having weight-loss (metabolic) surgery to see how their gut bacteria change over time and how those changes relate to heart health, diabetes, and cholesterol. Participants provide blood and stool samples before surgery and at several follow-up visits for up to 3 years, with long-term health tracked for up to 10 years. The goal is to learn how gut bacteria might improve surgical outcomes, especially in African Americans who are at higher risk for heart disease.