American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery position statement on emergency care of patients with complications related to bariatric surgery.

The following position statement has been issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) in response to numerous inquiries made to the Society by patients, physicians, society members, hospitals, health insurance payors, the media, and others regarding the role of bariatric surgeons in the care of patients with complications related to bariatric surgery. The intent of issuing such a statement is to provide a guideline derived from ethical standards and expert opinion on the topic of emergency care of bariatric surgery patients for bariatric surgeons, for general surgeons who do not perform bariatric surgery, and for hospitals (both those with bariatric surgery programs and those without such programs). The statement is not intended as, and should not be construed as, stating or establishing a local, regional, or national standard of care. The statement will be revised in the future should modifications be deemed necessary by the Society.