Neurological Complications After Bariatric Surgery

Though early postoperative complications like bleed, leak, etc. are commonly discussed, long-term issues like neurological complications are rarely discussed in bariatric forums. Mostly associated with nutritional deficiencies, neurological complications are often diagnosed late underscoring the importance of increasing awareness of this complication. Encephalopathy, behavioral abnormalities, seizures, cranial nerve palsies, ataxia, myelopathy, plexopathies, peripheral neuropathy, mono-neuropathies, compartment syndromes, myopathy, myotonia, etc. are some of the potential neurological complications after bariatric/metabolic surgery. Most of these are preventable and hence clinicians must be aware of these possibilities as early detection is the key to successful management.