Expectant management of the asymptomatic gallbladder at Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Because of the claim that about one third of patients develop gallstones within 6 months of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), many have recommended preoperative ultrasonography for all patients and/or prophylactic cholecystectomy (CCY), or ursodiol to prevent stone formation.

Methods: Prospective data were collected from 1391 consecutive patients followed up for > or = 6 months after RYGB (2000-2005) to assess our practice of not routinely removing the gallbladder and not administering ursodiol.

Results: Of the 1391 patients, 334 (24%) had undergone CCY before RYGB.

Help your patients downsize with bariatric surgery.

Your patient has probably tried everything else. Now she's chosen to have weight-loss surgery. Do you know how to help her succeed?

Obesity: a rapidly expanding challenge.

: Explore the health implications of obesity, commonly performed surgical procedures, and postoperative care needs of bariatric surgery patients.