Gastrointestinal management of the bariatric surgery patient.

Beyond the acute perioperative period, the most common complications of weight loss surgery relate to GI tract structure, function, and mucosal integrity. As a result, gastroenterologists have a major role in the management of patients undergoing these procedures. Optimal care of the bariatric surgical patient requires a multi-disciplinary team to address the medical complications, nutritional management, and psychological and behavioral implications of obesity. Because of their important role in preoperative assessment and postoperative management, gastroenterologists should be integral members of these multi-disciplinary teams. A model of close collaboration among gastroenterologists, bariatric surgeons, and other members of the team will help optimize care of the bariatric patient and set the stage for effective development, testing, and use of the many new laparoscopic, endoscopic, intraluminal, and pharmacological GI-based therapies for obesity that are under development.