Septic Aspiration Pneumonia After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed to help with weight loss in patients with advanced obesity with a body mass index (BMI) of >40 kg/m² or above 35 kg/m² with comorbid obesity-related health conditions (hypertension, type two diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, etc). Although this surgery is effective for weight loss, it is imperative that close follow-up and aftercare are conducted in order to circumvent severe and rare esophageal and pulmonary complications. We report a case of systemic pulmonary and esophageal complications associated with LAGB that required immediate medical and surgical intervention in a female patient. She underwent her surgery in Mexico, and she did not receive any follow-up care for 12 years, which seemingly led to this preventable situation.