Endocrine and metabolic complications after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapeutic option for obese patients; however, it carries substantial risks, including procedure-related complications, malabsorption, and hormonal disturbance. Recent years have seen an increase in the bariatric surgeries performed utilizing either an independent or a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. We review some complications of bariatric procedures more specifically, hypoglycemia and osteoporosis, the recommended preoperative assessment and then regular follow up, and the therapeutic options. Surgeon, internist, and the patient must be aware of the multiple risks of this kind of surgery and the needed assessment and follow up.

Keywords

• Bariatric surgery
• beta cell mass
• dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
• glucagon-like peptides
• hypoglycemia
• nesidioblastosis
• osteoporosis