Gastrointestinal complications of bariatric surgery

The current epidemic of obesity and its myriad comorbidities represents one of the true major public health crises in the United States today. Data reflecting durable weight loss achieved through surgical treatment of obesity demonstrate impressive results heretofore unattainable with less aggressive modalities. However, these outcomes are accompanied by expected side effects and complications, which require specific knowledge to diagnose accurately and a specialized skill-set to manage precisely. With the ever-increasing demand for bariatric surgery, the number of ensuing complications will also rise, requiring the expertise of a gastroenterologist for both diagnosis and treatment. Thus, the gastroenterologist must develop a keen understanding of bariatric surgical anatomy and physiology, as well as the expected postoperative side effects and potential complications experienced by the post-bariatric patient.