Bariatric surgery is a procedure for weight loss in morbidly obese people. It involves reducing the size of stomach and intestines to reduce the intake as well as absorption of food. There is a gradual and sustained weight loss over a period of 6-12 months. However , in some people, there may be rapid weight loss due to poor food intake. This leads to increased concentration of cholesterol in the bile juice within the gallbladder. This excess cholesterol can form crystals and deposits within the gallbladder and later on lead to formation of cholesterol stones.
The formation of these stones can be prevented by giving certain medicines during the period of rapid weight loss. These medicines prevent the secretion of excess cholesterol in bile juice and thus avoid the formation of stones. These medicines may be given in the initial 3-4 months of rapid weight loss following the bariatric surgery and stopped when the weight has stabilised.