RISKS OF GALLSTONE MIGRATION AFTER BARIATRIC SURGERY
Bariatric surgery is an increasingly common surgery for the treatment of severe obesity. Although it offers many benefits, including significant weight loss and improvement in obesity-related comorbidities, it is not without risks. Among these risks, is lithiasic migration, or the formation of gallstones, a postoperative complication that deserves special attention.
Causes
After bariatric surgery, the risk of developing gallstones increases due to several factors:
- Rapid weight loss, which is often a consequence of the surgery, can lead to cholesterol saturation of the bile, thus promoting the formation of stones.
- changes in gastrointestinal physiology can alter bile secretion and flow, further contributing to lithogenesis.
Symptoms
Gallstones can remain asymptomatic or cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, or episodes of acute pancreatitis. In some cases, stones can migrate to the main bile ducts, causing obstruction and potentially serious complications.
Prevention and Management
Preventing the formation of gallstones may include the use of ursodeoxycholic acid, especially in patients with high-risk factors. If symptoms occur, a cholecystectomy may be necessary to remove the gallbladder and the stones which are present.
It is essential for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to remain under regular medical supervision to detect and treat any complications related to lithiasic migration promptly.
♦ To make an appointment with Dr. Bruto RANDONE, ENGLISH SPEAKING Visceral, Digestive and Bariatric Surgeon, at the Clinique Internationale du Parc Monceau, 21 Rue de Chazelles, 75017 Paris, France, or at the Clinique Bizet, 23 Rue Georges Bizet, 75116 Paris, France, click on Contact