Complication of Bariatric Surgery

Obesity places a significant burden on health system resources and costs. Bariatric surgery, which is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity, is performed with increasing frequency. It is usually performed in the center of excellence where the perioperative complications are treated and the risk of failure to rescue is minimal. With the increase in outpatient and tourist medicine, bariatric surgery patients can present to any emergency department with early and late bariatric complications. This chapter will describe the common bariatric complications postcommon bariatric procedures, which emergency department physicians may encounter. It will also highlight complications that necessitate urgent intervention, including surgical intervention, versus complications that can be treated conservatively with a later referral to an experienced bariatric surgeon for further assessment.