The Influence of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding on Gastroesophageal Reflux

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) influences gastroesophageal reflux. Methods: 26 patients undergoing gastric banding were assessed by a questionnaire for symptom analysis, 24-hour pH monitoring, endoscopy and barium swallows, preoperatively, at 6 weeks and at 6 months after operation. Results: Gastric banding had minimal effect on heartburn scores, but regurgitation and belching scores increased significantly during follow-up. Use of acid-reducing drugs decreased significantly at 6 weeks and increased significantly at 6 months. Pathological reflux was present in 13 of the 26 patients preoperatively. At 6 months pathological reflux was found in only 6 of these 13 patients, but 4 of the 13 patients with preoperative normal reflux patterns had developed pathological reflux. 6 months after the operation esophagitis had disappeared in 6 patients and was increased in 9 patients. In 9 patients, a pouch was found at 6 months. Pouch formation was significantly correlated with the presence of pathological reflux, esophagitis and the use of acid-reducing medication. Preoperative presence of a hiatal hernia did not influence pouch formation or pathological reflux. Conclusion: LAGB decreases gastroesophageal reflux if there is no pouch formation during follow-up.     

Esophageal Motility and Reflux Symptoms Before and After Bariatric Surgery

Background: Surgical treatment is the most effective method for weight reduction in morbid obesity. The most common operations are gastric banding and gastric bypass. The effect of these interventions on esophageal function and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms has not been adequately investigated. Methods: Patients undergoing obesity surgery were prospectively included in an observational study. Before surgery, each of the 53 patients underwent pulmonary function tests, esophageal manometry, and gastroscopy. Drug medication and esophageal symptoms were recorded. "Non-sweet eater" patients with good compliance underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). In "sweet-eating" or non-compliant patients, gastric bypass (GBP) was carried out. Results: Between July 1997 and April 2000, 53 patients (9 males and 44 females) were consecutively operated on. 32 patients (median BMI 46.4 kg/m² ±5.4 SD) received LAGB, and 21 patients (BMI 54.0 kg/m² ±10.7) GBP. Median follow-up was 22 months, and only 3 patients were lost to yearly follow-up. Preoperatively, 6 LAGB patients had reflux symptoms, which postoperatively resolved in 3 of them, while the other 3 noted no change. Three patients who had no preoperative reflux symptoms developed them after LAGB. In the GBP group, no patient had esophageal dysmotility or incompetent esophageal sphincter function pre- or postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative esophageal symptoms was independent of operative technique (Wilcoxon U-Test: p= 0.75). Conclusion: The present results do not show any effect of gastric reduction surgery on postoperative esophageal function or gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.     

Clinical Significance of Central Obesity in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery

Background: Laparoscopic surgery had increased the interest and growth of bariatric surgery. Whether central obesity has any adverse effect in laparoscopic bariatric surgery is not clear. Methods: 612 morbidly obese patients received laparoscopic bariatric surgery,in a prospectively controlled clinical trial of the outcome of the bariatric surgery. For comparison, subjects were dichotomized into either a central obesity group or peripheral obesity group, based on waist/hip ratio (WHR). Various biochemistry and blood count variables, and perioperative and postoperative results were measured. Results: There were more female (458) than male patients (154). Male patients had higher BMI, and female patients were younger. 56 of 154 male patients (36.4%) belonged to the central obesity (WHR >1.0), and 321 of 458 female patients (70.1%) had central obesity (WHR >0.85). Central obesity was associated with age but not with BMI in males. In females, central obesity was associated with increased BMI. Central obesity predicted increased hyperglycemia and triglyceride levels in both male and female patients. Male patients with central obesity had higher WBC counts than the other patients. Although central obesity was associated with more intra-operative blood loss and prolonged recovery in female patients, there was no increase in complication rate or difference in postoperative weight loss. Conclusion: Central obesity is associated with a higher degree of hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and leukocytosis in morbidly obese patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Although there is increased technical difficulty in patients with severe central obesity, laparoscopic bariatric surgery is safe and effective in producing weight loss.     

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass after Antireflux Surgery for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Morbidly Obese Patients: Initial Experience

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) has been proven effective against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in morbidly obese patients. We present our experience with revision of antireflux procedures to LRYGBP in obese patients with recurrent GERD, weight gain or a combination of both and discuss the indications and technical considerations involved. Methods: Between June 2000 and December 2003, 7 morbidly obese patients with a mean BMI of 37.5 kg/m² underwent revision of an antireflux procedure to LRYGBP by our group. Important steps of the revision include dissection of the diaphragmatic crura and gastroesophageal fat pad, reduction and repair of hiatal hernia, and complete take-down of the wrap to avoid stapling over the fundoplication which can create an obstructed, septated pouch. Results: Mean operative time was 6 hr 12 min and length of stay was 4.8 days. There were 3 major complications postoperatively and no deaths. During follow-up, 5 patients developed anastomotic strictures and 2 patients were re-explored for gastric remnant herniation and intestinal obstruction. At a mean follow-up of 24 (3-44) months, mean excess weight loss was 70.7% and 14/20 (70%) co-morbid conditions were improved or resolved. GERD evaluation with the GERD-HRQL scale showed a significant reduction of GERD scores postoperatively (P =0.006). Conclusions: Although LRYGBP after antireflux surgery is a technically more difficult procedure with a higher morbidity, it is feasible and effective for the treatment of recurrent GERD and worsening obesity with the additional advantage of weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities.     

Morbid Obesity and Gastric Bypass Surgery: Biochemical Profile

Background: Morbid obesity (MO) and the pathologies associated with it constitute an important public health problem, accounting for 7% of the health expenditure in industrialized countries. An important percentage of this expense is attributed to the different biochemical tests performed in these patients, who suffer from several metabolic derangements. We evaluated the basic biochemical abnormalities in MO patients and their reversibility by weight loss after gastric bypass, to standardize the surveillance of the different metabolic abnormalities in obese patients. Methods: By a retrospective analysis on 125 patients operated in our hospital, we evaluated anthropometric and biochemical data before and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after gastric bypass. Results: Preoperatively hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertensive disease were present, and began to improve 1 and 3 months after surgery (although not significantly) and significantly at 6, 12 and 24 months after it. We also observed deficient protein nutrition and a deficiency of micronutrients both before bypass and during the follow-up. Conclusion: After gastric bypass, a marked decrease in insulin occurred, with normalization of blood pressure and the biochemical parameters associated with the metabolic syndrome. We propose a biochemical follow-up protocol for MO patients.     

Contribution of Bariatric Surgery to the Comprehension of Morbid Obesity

Convinced that morbid obesity was not due to food excess but rather to a metabolic disorder, we searched in the literature for data in favor of a metabolic disorder. We have found evidence in support of the thesis that the cause of morbid obesity is the inability to burn excessive caloric intake normally. It would involve the difficulty to increase heat with the amount of calories taken, which would be faulty and force fat deposition. This mechanism called dietinduced thermogenesis (DIT) allows the dispersion by heat of excessive calories to obtain energy balance. Results from bariatric surgery and particularly biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) give further support to this thesis. BPD would improve heat production to a meal (DIT) by one of these mechanisms: increased insulin sensitivity, change in intestinal hormone secretion, or chronic lipid malabsorption. Available results show that surgery, to be efficient, must change the physiology and not solely decrease food intake.     

Reduction in Psychopathology following Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity

Background: Although there has been some disagreement, there is growing evidence now that psychopathology is a comorbidity of morbid obesity among patients seeking bariatric surgery.The aim of this study was to determine whether psychopathology decreases following this surgery. Methods: Utilizing a national sample, this study focused on pre- and post-surgery scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition (MMPI-2). The MMPI-2 was administered first during the pre-surgery medical examination, and again between 6 months and 1 year following surgery. Results:Validity scale scores on the pre- and postsurgery MMPI-2s indicated that there was no impediment to interpreting the clinical scale scores of these tests.There was a pervasive pattern of statistically significant decreases in pre- to post-surgery clinical scale scores. Further, comparison of MMPI-2 clinical scale scores to available test norms showed that the number of participants showing signs of mental disorders was unusually high before surgery, and at or below the test norms following surgery. Conclusions:There is clear evidence in this study that psychopathology declines following bariatric surgery.The unusually high levels of psychopathology before surgery may be a joint function of the factors producing the morbid obesity, and a reaction to the obesity itself.That psychopathology declines following surgery to levels expected in the general population indicates that the patients were becoming more positive about their lives.     

Complete Regression of Barrett's Esophagus after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Regression of Barrett's esophagus may occur after effective anti-reflux surgery. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is an effective operation to treat morbid obesity. In addition, it provides complete relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Regression of Barrett's has not been reported after RYGBP. We performed a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on a patient with GERD and Barrett's esophagus. At 1 year after the RYGBP, an upper endoscopy was performed as routine surveillance for the patient's Barrett's esophagus; endoscopic and histologic evaluation demonstrated complete regression of the Barrett's esophagus. The patient lost one-third of her preoperative weight and had resolution of her reflux symptoms. RYGBP limits the amount of acid reflux and completely diverts bile away from the esophagus. This may lead to the regression of Barrett's esophagus.     

Bariatric Surgery: Asia-Pacific Perspective

Background: There is a world-wide epidemic of overweight, obesity and morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery today, as the only effective therapy for morbid obesity, is expanding exponentially to meet the global epidemic of morbid obesity. Bariatric surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region had founded the Asia-Pacific Bariatric Surgery Group (APBSG) at Seoul, Korea on October 6, 2004. Methods: E-mail requests for information were sent to the national bariatric surgery leaders. These requests were followed, if necessary, by second e-mail requests and communications seeking clarification. The summary data was also discussed at the 1st Asia-Pacific Bariatric Consensus Meeting held in Taipei, February 27, 2005. Results: 11 countries or areas in Asia had started bariatric surgery and responded to the general questions. In 2004, 636 bariatric operations were performed by 61 bariatric surgeons. The earliest data for starting bariatric surgery was in 1974 in Taiwan. Following the development of gastric partition, Taiwan performed the first case in 1981, Japan in 1982 and Singapore in 1987. In 2004, 11 countries have started bariatric surgery. The APBSG was founded in 2004. In 2004, 12.1% of operations were open and 87.9% laparoscopic. The 6 most popular operations were: laparoscopic adjustable banding 42.3%; laparoscopic gastric bypass 34.2%; open vertical banded gastroplasty 7.5%; laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty 6.3%; laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 6.3%; open gastric bypass 4.2%. Pooling open and laparoscopic procedures, relative percentages were gastric banding 42.3%; gastric bypass 38.4%; vertical banded gastroplasty 13.8%. The APBSG consensus meeting recommended bariatric surgery in Asian patients with BMI >37 or >32 with diabetes or two other obesity-related co-morbidities. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is expanding rapidly in Asia to meet rapidly increasing obesity. The modification of the indications for bariatric surgery in the Asian is proposed.     

Attitudes of Bariatric Surgeons Concerning Adolescent Bariatric Surgery (ABS)

Background: As the number of adolescents with clinically severe obesity has grown, so too have the number of adolescents seeking bariatric surgery. Methods: The membership of the ASBS was contacted by e-mail with a 14-question survey to ascertain plans for development of adolescent bariatric surgery (ABS) programs. Results were tabulated and expressed as a percentage of total respondents. Results: Of the 92 respondents, most (84%) performed >50 adult bariatric procedures per year. Over half (53%) had performed ABS. Nearly half (45%) had performed <10 ABS cases within the last year, and 70% were planning ABS in the upcoming year. 42% reported that they have already or were in the process of developing an adolescent bariatric treatment program with pediatric specialists in their community. The vast majority (84%) of respondents was willing to participate in a multi-center collection of outcomes data, and 65% reported having dedicated personnel for clinical data collection. Conclusions: There is increasing interest in developing ABS programs. Despite the perceived need for such services, information is lacking in the adolescent age group to guide decisions regarding optimal patient selection, choice of operation, and postoperative management. Rigorous evaluation of the outcomes of this intervention with detailed prospective data collection is needed to support decision-making regarding use of bariatric surgery for adolescents with morbid obesity.     

Adolescent Bariatric Surgery: Treatment Delayed, Treatment Denied, a Crisis Invited

Adolescent obesity has serious immediate and long-term health consequences. There are no effective behavioral or pharmacologic treatments of extreme obesity among adolescents. Bariatric surgery is the most effective means to achieve durable weight loss, with amelioration or resolution of most obesity-related co-morbidities. Surgery should be performed when: 1) the risk of operative complications and of recidivism is lowest; 2) the outcomes of the operation are likely to be the best possible; and 3) there is little need to consider subsequent bariatric surgery for weight regain and reappearance of co-morbidities. A higher BMI is an independent risk factor for operative morbidity and mortality, and is associated with less weight loss and greater likelihood of weight regain. The higher BMI criterion for adolescent bariatric surgery exposes the adolescent to a higher risk for operative death and complications, and suboptimal outcomes following bariatric surgery.     

The Effects of Gastric Bands of Different Synthetic Materials on the Gastric and Esophageal Mucosa: an Experimental Study

Background: Gastric and mucosal changes were studied when different synthetic materials were used for gastric banding. Methods: 60 Wistar-Albino rats (weight 200-250 g, age 12 weeks) were classiffied into 5 groups. Gastric banding was carried out with different materials: group 1 - polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), group 2 - polythylene (PE), group 3 - polypropylene (PP), group 4 - silicone; and group 5 - controls. Histopathological examination of proximal and distal gastric mucosa and esophagus were evaluated for foreign body reaction, lymphocytic infiltration, neutrophil infiltration, gastric wall invasion, and gastroesophageal reflux. Results: PE and PP caused a much more severe foreign body reaction that PTFE and silicone. Lymphocytic infiltration (chronic inflammation) was not significantly different between PP, PE, and PTFE, and was present in 80% of rats with these materials (P >0.05); in the silicone group, lymphocytic reaction was minimal. There was no neutrophilic infiltration in the silicone group (P =0.001), but this sign of acute inflammation was present in the other groups. However, the neutrophilic inflitration showed no difference between PE, PTFE and PP. PP, PE and PTFE migrated into the gastric wall at similar rates (no significant difference, P >0.05); in the silicone group, however, intragastric migration was not observed. With regard to gastroesophageal reflux, no significant difference was found between all the groups (P>0.05). In all groups, no histopathologic change was observed in the gastric mucosa proximal and distal to the bands. Conclusion: Silicone was the ideal material for banding, because it had good tissue adaptation and caused no inflammatory response.     

Early Gastric Cancer found at Preoperative Assessment for Bariatric Surgery

An association between gastric cancer and obesity has been suggested in large epidemiologic series. We present a 61-year-old lady with BMI 48.7 kg/m², who underwent preoperative work-up for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Her endoscopy showed a depressed lesion at the incisura angularis, suggesting early gastric cancer. The biopsy confirmed well/moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The surgical approach was subtotal gastrectomy leaving only part of the fundus, and was performed on an oncological basis, with lymphatic D2 dissection. The gastro-enterostomy was 1.5 cm wide, and was constructed closer to the greater curvature over a 12-Fr Fouchet tube. The reconstruction was in a Roux-en-Y fashion, but the alimentary limb was 150 cm long. Despite the short follow-up, the way the surgery was conducted presumably maintained both oncologic and bariatric determinations.     

Effects of Adjustable Gastric Banding on Altered Gut Neuropeptide Levels in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have alterations of gut neuropeptides, such as neurotensin (N) and motilin (M), which are resolved following antireflux surgery. Obesity is associated with GERD. Since the adjustable gastric band prevents gastroesophageal reflux in morbidly obese patients, this study was performed to investigate plasma levels of N and M before and after adjustable gastric banding (AGB). Methods: 47 morbidly obese patients were operated laparoscopically using the Swedish AGB. Preand postoperatively basal plasma levels of N and M were investigated. Symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia were documented, and esophageal manometry as well as 24-hour pH-monitoring were performed pre- and postoperatively. 11 non-obese, asymptomatic, age-matched volunteers served as controls. Results: After a median postoperative follow-up period of 268 days, a significant weight reduction was observed. Preoperatively, 14 patients suffered from reflux symptoms. An insufficient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was found in 8 patients, and 2 patients had impaired esophageal body motility. Pathologic pH-testing was found in 6 patients. Postoperatively, reflux symptoms were present in 4 patients; LES findings and pH-testing were normalized in all patients. However, there was significant impairment of esophageal peristalsis. Preoperatively, levels of N were significantly decreased and levels of M increased compared with control subjects. Postoperatively, there was a significant increase of N and levels of M were normalized. Alterations in gut neuropeptides did not correlate with reflux symptoms, impaired gastroesophageal motility, age, gender or BMI. Conclusion: Morbid obesity alters gut neuropeparetides, which are resolved by AGB. This may be caused by reduction of hypercaloric nutrition post-operatively rather than by improvement of gastroesophageal reflux.     

Rhabdomyolysis after Bariatric Surgery

Background: Rhabdomyolysis is a potential threat after bariatric surgey. The severity ranges from asymptomatic elevations of serum muscle enzyme levels to life-threatening cases associated with muscle necrosis, compartment syndrome, acute renal failure and cardiac arrest. Methods: We studied 98 consecutive obese patients who underwent primary uncomplicated bariatric surgery during a 1-year period. A database was created for all patients (sex, age, BMI, duration of the operation); serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) was systematically measured before surgery and on the first and second postoperative day. Results: The study sample consisted of 35 males (35.7%) and 63 females (64.3%) with preoperative CPK level 156.6 ± 41.1 U/L (40 to 220), 24 hours postoperatively 1,075.2 ± 596.5 U/L, (85 to 2,790 U/L) and 48 hours postoperatively 967.3 ± 545.3 U/L (79 to 2,630). There was no difference in mean BMI (P=0.1) and mean duration of operation (P=0.5) between males and females. However, a statistically significant difference in mean elevation of CPK between males and females (P=0.003) was found. The variables sex, age, weight and duration of surgery were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, but did not show a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially fatal complication of surgical procedures in obese patients, and can be minimized with simple measures such as additional padding, aggressive hydration and urine alkalinization. Diagnosis requires a high level of physician awareness.     

Dental Complications Following Gastric Restrictive Bariatric Surgery

Background: Morbid obesity is a scourge of the 21st century. The effective therapeutic measure is bariatric surgery. The medical literature has inadequately reported the potential deleterious effects of such surgery on dental health. Acidic levels in the oral cavity, which are known to be one of the postoperative side-effects of bariatric surgery, directly result in dental caries and tooth erosion. We investigated the self-assessment of postoperative bariatric patients with regard to their dental health and associated variables. Methods: 113 patients (25% compliance), who had been operated on in three Jerusalem hospitals, responded to a mailed questionnaire. Results: Patients' average age was 40±10 years; bariatric surgery had been performed 5±4 years previously. Of the patients, 37% reported eating more sweet foods after surgery, only 20% reported improved oral hygiene, only 34% reported increased frequency of visits to the dentist, and 37% reported greater dental hypersensitivity after surgery. Significant associations were found between reported dental hypersensitivity and vomiting (P=0.013), and also dental hypersensitivity and indigestion (P=0.021). Patients from the three hospitals reported different patterns of visits to the dentist. The most common variable (80% of the subjects) associated with visits to the dentist after surgery was dental hypersensitivity. Conclusion: Medical teams need to consider potential dental problems after bariatric surgery, and to supply their patients with the appropriate information and instructions regarding oral hygiene maintenance, healthy dietary patterns and regular dental health monitoring by a dentist or dental hygienist.     

The Evolution of Experimental Surgery in the Field of Morbid Obesity

Background: We reviewed the experimental surgery, related to bariatric surgery in laboratory animals, to consider new lines of research. Methods: The literature on experimental surgery for morbid obesity since the mid-20th century was reviewed, focusing on existing techniques (malabsorptive, restrictive, mixed and experimental) and their associated metabolic component. Results: In the field of laparoscopy, there is a clear tendency for large laboratory animals such as pigs to be used. These are useful for developing and perfecting techniques. A second area of animal experimentation concentrates on the relationship between metabolism and surgery in order to find improvements in the co-morbidities associated with morbid obesity. A third area of research focuses on manipulating intake via central and vagal control. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to combine traditional and recently developed techniques of experimental surgery with the mechanisms that determine the physiopathology, metabolism and regulation of intake of morbidly obese patients. To accurately determine metabolic behavior and avoid drawing conclusions that are not very significant, these studies should be carried out on obese animals and focus on the co-morbidities associated with morbid obesity.     

Development of Acute Gouty Attack in the Morbidly Obese Population after Bariatric Surgery

Background: Gout is associated with increased body weight. We evaluated the prevalence of gout and acute gouty attacks in the morbidly obese population who underwent bariatric surgery. Methods: The medical records and operative reports of 1,240 patients who underwent bariatric surgery were reviewed retrospectively for weight parameters, BMI, weight loss, medical history of gout, and onset of acute gouty attacks. Results: Of the 1,240 patients, 5 (0.4%) had been previously diagnosed with gout. 2 of these 5 had acute attacks during the postoperative period, and responded succesfully to intravenous colchicine. Conclusion: Although rare, gout must be considered a co-morbid illness in obese and morbidly obese patients. Surgeons should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of attacks in the postoperative period, and be knowledgeable in the management.     

Endoscopy Plays an Important Preoperative Role in Bariatric Surgery

Background: The role of upper endoscopy (EGD) in obese patients prior to bariatric surgery is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and cost of routine EGD before bariatric surgery. Methods: The medical records of consecutive obese patients who underwent EGD prior to bariatric surgery between May 2000 and September 2002 were reviewed. Two experienced endoscopists reviewed all EGD reports, and findings were divided into 4 groups based on predetermined criteria: group 0 (normal study), group 1 (abnormal findings that neither changed the surgical approach nor postponed surgery), group 2 (abnormal findings that changed the surgical approach or postponed surgery), and group 3 (results that were an absolute contraindication to surgery). Clinically important findings included lesions in groups 2 and 3. The cost of EGD (US $430.72) was estimated using the endoscopist fee under Medicare reimbursement. Results: During the 28-month study period, 195 patients were evaluated by EGD prior to bariatric surgery. One or more lesions were identified in 89.7% of patients, with 61.5% having a clinically important finding. The prevalence of endoscopic findings using the classification system above was as follows: group 0 (10.3%), group 1 (28.2%), group 2 (61.5%), and group 3 (0.0%). Overall, the most common lesions identified were hiatal hernia (40.0%), gastritis (28.7%), esophagitis (9.2%), gastric ulcer (3.6%), Barrett's esophagus (3.1%), and esophageal ulcer (3.1%). The cost of performing routine endoscopy on all patients prior to bariatric surgery was US $699.92 per clinically important lesion detected. Conclusions: Routine upper endoscopy before bariatric surgery has a high diagnostic yield and has a low cost per clinically important lesion detected.     

Methamphetamine Use Following Bariatric Surgery in an Adolescent

Bariatric surgery is increasingly popular as a therapeutic strategy for morbidly obese adolescents. Adolescence represents a sensitive period of psychosocial development, and children with considerable weight loss may experience greater peer acceptance, accompanied by both positive and negative influences. Substance abuse exists as one of these negative influences. We present the case of an adolescent bariatric surgical patient who abused methamphetamines in the postoperative period, with consequent nutritional instability. A concerted effort must be made in the preoperative assessment of adolescent bariatric patients to delineate a history of illicit drug use, including abuse of diet pills and stimulants. Excessive postoperative weight loss or micronutrient supplementation non-compliance should raise a suspicion of stimulant use and appropriate screening tests should be performed. The consequent appetite suppression may manifest with signs of malnutrition such as bradycardia, hypotension, and weakness. Inpatient nutritional rehabilitation and psychiatric assessment should be considered.