Common weight loss procedures and their complications

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Maria S AltieriAurora D Pryor

Abstract

As the number of obese patients in the United States continues to grow, there is a parallel increase in the number of bariatric surgery patients. A quarter of these patients will return to the Emergency Department (ED) within the first two years of the index procedure. An understanding of the most common bariatric procedures and their related complications will greatly aide the Emergency Medicine physician in the care of these patients. Abdominal pain is the most common reason for bariatric patients to present to the ED and can represent a diagnostic challenge to EM physicians. It is important that EM physicians have a good understanding of bariatric procedures. We describe the three most common bariatric procedures: 1) the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB); 2) the Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG); 3) and the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). Due to the unique altered anatomy following the procedures there are specific complications related to each individual procedure. We will describe the most common presentations of abdominal pain in the post bariatric surgery patient. Finally, we will review new endoscopic procedures and the associated complications that may cause patients to present to the ED. Certain comp...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.