Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
The most common postoperative complications of bariatric surgery are
related to the GI tract, such as bleeding and ulceration75,76. Depending on the definition, the reported
incidence of ulceration ranges from 1 – 20%75,77–84. It is demonstrated that the use of NSAIDs
is an independent risk factor for the development of ulcerations85–87. Although NSAIDs after bariatric surgery are
often proclaimed to be life-long contraindicated24,2524,25, NSAIDs are commonly used in bariatric
surgery patients 86–88. Studies show that the
majority of the ulcerations occur within the first year after surgery78,79,81, and therefore it can be speculated that the
risk might thereafter be the same for bariatric surgery patients and
other subjects. For now, it seems reasonable to conclude that NSAIDs are
contraindicated in the first six months after bariatric surgery and that
until there is more evidence, after these six months, the use of NSAIDS
should be discouraged. There are no studies on the pharmacokinetics of
NSAIDS before versus after bariatric surgery.