Autologous Conditioned Serum in Lumbar and Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systemic Review

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration causing radiculopathy is driven by catabolic cytokines like IL-1β and TNFα. Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) was found to be rich in IL-1Ra (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist), and thus, can impede disc degeneration. A systematic review of available literature was conducted to ascertain the potential therapeutic application of ACS in radiculopathy. Methods: Systematic literature reviews were conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases, up to September 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), prospective, retrospective studies and case series with lumbar or cervical radiculopathy and reporting use of ACS were included, with at least one of the outcome measures like VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) for pain, SF-12 (Short Form of Health Survey-12), Oswestry Disability Index, with a minimum follow up of 3 months. Animal studies, s, review articles and case reports were excluded. Results: A total of four studies, including 107 patients who received ACS were included based on the eligibility criteria. Two were RCTs and two were prospective non-comparative studies. Three studies evaluated the effect of IL-1Ra on lumbar radiculopathy and one on cervical radiculopathy. The mean age of patients in the studies ranged from 37.15 to 53.9. The dose of ACS used was 2-4 mL injection. In 1 RCT, methylprednisolone was used as control, in the other 5 mg and 10 mg triamcinolone was used. All studies reported a statistically significant reduction in pre-injection and post-injection VAS, there was also a significant difference as compared to 5 mg triamcinolone. Three studies reported significant improvement in ODI. Two studies reported statistically significant improvement in SF-12 scores post injection (p < 0.001). For cervical radiculopathy, Neck pain disability score showed a decrease of 73.76% from pre-injection to final follow up and Neck disability index showed a decrease of 74.47%. Conclusion: All of the four studies concluded that epidural perineural injection with ACS, reduced pain scores (VAS, NPDS) and improved functional scores (ODI, SF-12 and NPDS), as compared to placebo and other conventional therapeutic modalities like steroids, and analgesic-anaesthetic-steroid cocktail. Hence, ACS is a promising new therapeutic modality in both lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, and further studies can strengthen the present evidence regarding its efficacy and safety profile. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.

Current Advances and Future Avenues in Endocrinology

Endocrinology is a dynamic science with numerous advances in the field of diagnosis, prognosis and management. Newer diagnostic modalities in the field have not only revolutionised the manner glycaemic status in diabetes is assessed but have provided newer metrics of evaluation, including ‘time in range' and the importance of glycaemic variability as an independent association with vascular complications. The focus on lifestyle management for weight and glycaemic optimisation is at an all-time high, especially in terms of time-restricted feeding, intermittent fasting and chrononutrition. Precision and personalised medicine is also foraying into mainstream endocrinology, with potential applications in diabetes mellitus as well as other disorders such as acromegaly and adrenal diseases (phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma). Genetic testing for clinical and predictive endocrinology is another rapidly advancing domain with use in disease gene identification and discerning the genetic and molecular basis of various endocrine disorders. Avenues for the future implicate improved genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors to understand the intricacies of disease as well as design more effective therapeutic options. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.

Striking a match between FHIR-based patient data and FHIR-based eligibility criteria

Inputs and Outputs: The Strike-a-Match Function, written in JavaScript version ES6+, accepts the input of two datasets (one dataset defining eligibility criteria for research studies or clinical decision support, and one dataset defining characteristics for an individual patient). It returns an output signaling whether the patient characteristics are a match for the eligibility criteria.Purpose: Ultimately, such a system will play a "matchmaker" role in facilitating point of-care recognition of patient-specific clinical decision support.Specifications: The eligibility criteria are defined in HL7 FHIR (version R5) Evidence Variable Resource JSON structure. The patient characteristics are provided in an FHIR Bundle Resource JSON including one Patient Resource and one or more Observation and Condition Resources which could be obtained from the patient's electronic health record.Application: The Strike-a-Match Function determines whether or not the patient is a match to the eligibility criteria and an Eligibility Criteria Matching Software Demonstration interface provides a human-readable display of matching results by criteria for the clinician or patient to consider. This is the first software application, serving as proof of principle, that compares patient characteristics and eligibility criteria with all data exchanged using HL7 FHIR JSON. An Eligibility Criteria Matching Software Library at https://fevir.net/110192 provides a method for sharing functions using the same information model.

Single-anastomosis Sleeve Jejunal: a Mid-term Follow-up Report of a New Surgical Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Single anastomosis sleeve ileal bypass (SASI) is a combined bariatric metabolic technique, in which few studies have shown its outcomes efficacy. However, this technique has a high risk of malnutrition due to long biliopancreatic limb. Single anastomosis sleeve jejunal bypass (SASJ) has a shorter limb. Therefore, it seems to have a lower risk of nutrient deficiency. Furthermore, this technique is relatively new, and little is known about the efficacy and safety of SASJ. We aim to report our mid-term follow-up of SASJ from a high-volume center for bariatric metabolic surgery in the Middle East region. METHODS: For the current study, the 18-month follow-up data of 43 patients with severe obesity who underwent SASJ was collected. The primary outcome measures were demographic data, weight change variables according to ideal body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 at 6, 12, and 18 months, laboratory assessments, remission of obesity-associated medical problems, and other potential bariatric metabolic complications after the surgery. RESULTS: No patient was lost due to follow-up. After 18 months, patients lost 43.4 ± 11 kg of their weight and 68 ± 14% of their excess weight, and their BMI decreased from 44.9 ± 4.7 to 28.6 ± 3.8 kg/m2 (p < 0.001). The percentage of total weight loss till 18 months was 36.3%. The T2D remission rate at 18 months was 100%. Patients neither faced deficiency in significant markers for nutrition state nor represented major bariatric metabolic surgery complications. CONCLUSION: SASJ bypass achieved satisfactory weight loss and remissions in obesity-associated medical problems within 18 months after surgery without major complications and malnutrition.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Destiny of Bariatric Patients.

Obese patients reported worse outcomes of COVID-19 related to prothrombotic and low-grade inflammation status. During the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, all non-elective surgeries were postponed, including bariatric surgery (BS). This umbrella review wants to underline obesity as a condition provoking low-grade chronic inflammation, and increasing severe COVID-19 risk; to relaunch the prioritization of BS. The literature search was conducted in March 2022 via Pubmed (MEDLINE) and focused on reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in peer-reviewed journals. Terms "bariatric surgery" OR "obesity surgery" OR "metabolic surgery" were analyzed with "COVID-19" OR "SARS-CoV-2" using the AND modifier. Only 13 studies of the 406 screened met the objective. The procrastination of BS over the past two years determined a delay in obesity treatment and severe consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on economic costs. Although BS has high costs, a lifetime cost advantage over conventional weight loss methods was demonstrated. As the pandemic continues, health policies must recognize obesity as a disease-predisposing factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, considering COVID-19 as a new comorbidity mitigable by BS. Care pathways for obese patients in COVID/post-COVID era should be revitalized and the concept of elective surgery attributed to BS should be reformulated.

Defying the Odds: A National Perspective of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Amidst the Covid19 Pandemic

Background: Elective Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeries (BMS) were stopped all over the world during this COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the availability of hospital resources to combat the pandemic and also to protect its first responders and other care givers. Only emergency and urgent cases were permitted. However, the actions taken early in the pandemic by the government of Taiwan and our center's collective efforts allowed us to be the only center in the world to safely perform elective BMS unhampered. Method(s): A retrospective review and analysis of the trends, complications and safety for all elective BMS from January to April 2020 was done. We reviewed the preparations, healthcare policies, and protocols created by the government of Taiwan against COVID-19 and our center's robust algorithm for patient and healthcare workers (HCW) surveillance and safety. Results and Discussion: A total of 99 patients underwent elective BMS from January to April 2020. The breakdown was 59 females and 40 males with an average body mass index (BMI) of 35.20 kg/m2 and 40.68 kg/m2 respectively. Compared to the previous year when a total 117 patients had surgery, a decline of 18 elective operations (-15.38%) was noted. There were no reported cases of a patient developing postoperative COVID-19 or a HCW. Conclusion(s): Elective operations may not need to be postponed if you have already in place early mitigation measures to prevent a pandemic spread, including but not limited to a prompt implementation of protocols and strict adherence to these measures. (Figure Presented).

eHealth Intervention via LINE® Social Media as an Adjunct for Postoperative Care After Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery: Single Institution Experience.

PURPOSE: Applying eHealth interventions via social media is common in modern medicine. LINE® is a popular communication app in Taiwan that can deliver messages 24 h a day. In addition to being free of charge, it also allows bariatric nurses (BNs) and patients to enjoy bidirectional communication via telecommunication services instead of direct, face-to-face contact for patients undergoing bariatric-metabolic surgery (BMS). We conducted this retrospective study to determine the frequency and reasons for early post-discharge of LINE® messages/calls and investigate the relationship between this frequency and contents of these messages and postoperative outcomes after BMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted in an Asian weight management center. The study period ran from August 2016 to December 2021, and a total of 143 native patients with severe obesity were enrolled. All patients were informed of the necessity of a postoperative dietitian consultation before bariatric surgery. The patterns of LINE® communication with the BN and associated actions to resolve patients' needs within 180 days after index BMS were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 143 enrolled patients, 100 underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and 43 underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A total of 1205 messages/calls were analyzed concomitantly; most LINE® communications focused on diet problems (47.97%; n = 578), weight problems (11.54%; n = 139), and medications (9.21%; n = 111). Most problems could be resolved by LINE® communications directly, and only a small portion (5.6%) was directed to local clinics or emergency departments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of LINE® communications significantly increased (12.2 ± 10.4 vs. 6.4 ± 4.9; p < 0.01); nonetheless, a higher frequency of LINE® communications would not hinder the regular clinic visits (r = 0.359; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Based on our limited experience, the LINE® consultation service operated by the BN could effectively address patients' problems. Moreover, it might reduce the need for emergency department visits or unexpected clinic appointments for patients after BMS.

Management of obesity

From 1975-2016, the number of people with obesity in Europe increased fivefold and the overall trend is still increasing. Obesity is the result of an imbalance between energy expenditure and caloric intake. Although the importance of genetic determinants for the variance of body mass index (BMI) is about 60-70%, overeating, lack of exercise, and psychosocial stress are influenceable risk factors. For example, during the Corona pandemic, nearly 40% of Germans gained an average of 5.6 kg, and people with obesity gained as much as 7.2 kg. To reduce obesity-associated comorbidities, a permanent reduction in body weight of (at least) 5-10% is recommended. A significant reduction of cardiovascular endpoints can be achieved with a weight reduction of more than 10% of the initial weight. Therapeutic measures in the context of an escalating stepwise approach should include strategies for targeted weight reduction and long-term weight maintenance.

Partial jejunal diversion (PJD) with jejunocolic anastomosis preliminary results of a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric-metabolic surgery is an effective tool in the treatment of severe obesity and related diseases. Its importance has increased even more in the era of the type II diabetes mellitus and COVID 19 pandemics. The aim of our study is to present the initial results of a new operation that minimizes surgical trauma. METHODS: In the prospective study, laparoscopic side-to-side anisoperistaltic jejunocolic anastomosis was constructed in order to derive part of the chyme by the anastomosis. Patients were operated in the period of IV/2018VII/2019; their mean age was 48.43±10.36 years, mean weight 112.3±16.6 kg and mean BMI 41.9±5.2. Patients were examined one month before surgery and then followed at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. We evaluated weight loss and changes in carbohydrate metabolism. RESULTS: We did not record any perioperative or postoperative surgical complications. There was a statistically significant weight loss during the study period. There was a significant decrease in absolute weight in kilograms (p.

Management of Obesity in Adults with CKD.

Obesity is a leading public health problem that currently affects over 650 million individuals worldwide. Although interest in the adverse effects of obesity has grown exponentially in recent years, less attention has been given to studying its management in individuals with CKD. This relatively unexplored area should be considered a high priority because of the rapid growth and high prevalence of obesity in the CKD population, its broad impact on health and outcomes, and its modifiable nature. This article begins to lay the groundwork in this field by providing a comprehensive overview that critically evaluates the available evidence related to obesity and kidney disease, identifies important gaps in our knowledge base, and integrates recent insights in the pathophysiology of obesity to help provide a way forward in establishing guidelines as a basis for managing obesity in CKD. Finally, the article includes a kidney-centric algorithm for management of obesity that can be used in clinical practice.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric surgery in India: An obesity and metabolic surgery society of India survey of 1307 patients.

BACKGROUND: Although safe practice guidelines were issued by the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) in the end of May 2020, surgeons have been in a dilemma about risk of subjecting patients to hospitalisation and bariatric surgery. This survey was conducted with the objective to evaluate the risk of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection in peri- and post-operative period after bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS). METHODS: A survey with OSSI members was conducted from 20 July 2020 to 31 August 2020 in accordance with EQUATOR guidelines. Google Form was circulated to all surgeon members through E-mail and WhatsAppTM. In the second phase, clinical details were captured from surgeons who reported positive cases. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred and seven BMS were reported from 1 January 2020 to 15 July 2020. Seventy-eight per cent were performed prior to 31 March 2020 and 276 were performed after 1 April 2020. Of these, 13 (0.99%) patients were reported positive for COVID-19 in the post-operative period. All suffered from a mild disease and there was no mortality. Eighty-seven positive cases were reported from patients who underwent BMS prior to 31 December 2019. Of these, 82.7% of patients had mild disease, 13.7% of patients had moderate symptoms and four patients succumbed to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: BMS may be considered as a safe treatment option for patients suffering from clinically severe obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due care must be taken to protect patients and healthcare workers and all procedures must be conducted in line with the safe practice guidelines.

Cost-effectiveness of bariatric and metabolic surgery, and implications of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: People living with obesity have been among those most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for increased provision of bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the possible clinical and economic benefits of BMS compared with nonsurgical treatment options in the UK, considering the broader impact that COVID-19 has on people living with obesity. SETTING: Single-payer healthcare system (National Health Service, England). METHODS: A Markov model compared lifetime costs and outcomes of BMS and conventional treatment among patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2, BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with obesity-related co-morbidities (Group A), or BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 with type 2 diabetes (T2D; Group B). Inputs were sourced from clinical audit data and literature sources; direct and indirect costs were considered. Model outputs included costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Scenario analyses whereby patients experienced COVID-19 infection, BMS was delayed by five years, and BMS patients underwent endoscopy were conducted. RESULTS: In both groups, BMS was dominant versus conventional treatment, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £25,000/QALY. When COVID-19 infections were considered, BMS remained dominant and, across 1000 patients, prevented 117 deaths, 124 hospitalizations, and 161 intensive care unit admissions in Group A, and 64 deaths, 65 hospitalizations, and 90 intensive care unit admissions in Group B. Delaying BMS by 5 years resulted in higher costs and lower QALYs in both groups compared with not delaying treatment. CONCLUSION: Increased provision of BMS would be expected to reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality, as well as obesity-related co-morbidities, ultimately reducing the clinical and economic burden of obesity.

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is safe during phase 2-3 of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: A multicenter, prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Sars-Cov-2 epidemic in Italy caused one of the greatest 2020 European outbreaks, with suspension of elective bariatric/metabolic surgery (BMS). From May 2020 a significant decline of the epidemic has been observed (phase 2); National Health Service protocols permitted elective BMS' resumption. A new, more severe COVID-19 surge, the "second wave", started on October 2020 (phase 3). AIM: The primary end point was to analyze the outcomes of any Sars-Cov-2 infection and related morbidity/mortality within 30 POD after laparoscopic BMS during phase 2-3; secondary end points were readmission and reoperation rates. METHODS: Study design prospective, multicenter, observational. SETTING: Eight Italian high-volume bariatric centers. All patients undergoing BMS from July 2020 through January 2021 were enrolled according to the following criteria: no Sars-Cov-2 infection; primary procedures; no concomitant procedure; age > 18 < 60 years; compensated comorbidities; informed consent including COVID-19 addendum; adherence to specific admission, in-hospital and follow-up protocols. Data were collected in a prospective database. Patients undergone BMS during July-December 2019 were considered a control group. RESULTS: 1258 patients were enrolled and compared with 1451 operated on in 2019, with no differences for demographics, complications, readmission, and reintervention rates. Eight patients (0·6%) tested positive for Sars-Cov-2 infection after discharge, as well as and 15 healthcare professionals, with no related complications or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of strict COVID-19 protocols concerning the protection of patients and health-care professionals guaranteed a safe resumption of elective BMS in Italy. The safety profile was, also, maintained during the second wave of outbreak, thus allowing access to a cure for the obese population.

Association of Bariatric Surgery with Clinical Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis in the Initial Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity worsens clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to measure the association between history of bariatric surgery and the severity of COVID-19. METHODS: Data source included PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and pre-print servers between January and November 1, 2020. Literature was screened and selected to extract the relevant data. The two outcomes of this meta-analysis were the difference in mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection with and without history of bariatric surgery. Random-effect models were used to estimate the pooled effects. RESULTS: The systematic review yielded 3 retrospective studies on 9022 patients. The risk of mortality without previous bariatric surgery was 133 per 1000 cases and its risk with previous bariatric surgery was 33 per 1000 (summary OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.19-0.26). No heterogeneity was observed between the included studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.98 for heterogeneity). In the pooled analysis, the hospitalization rate in patients without previous bariatric surgery was 412 per 1000 cases and its rate in patients with previous bariatric surgery was 164 per 1000 (summary OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.65). No heterogeneity was observed between the included studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.71 for heterogeneity). There was a substantial risk of bias across the studies for confounding and selection bias. CONCLUSION: Findings of this meta-analysis of observational studies suggest that prior bariatric surgery is associated with a lower rate of mortality and hospital admission in patients with obesity who become infected with SARS-CoV-2. Confirmation of these findings will require larger studies with better quality data.

Association of prior metabolic and bariatric surgery with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between prior metabolic surgery and the severity of COVID-19 in patients with severe obesity. SETTING: Cleveland Clinic Health System in the United States. METHODS: Among 4365 patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) between March 8, 2020 and July 22, 2020 in the Cleveland Clinic Health System, 33 patients were identified who had a prior history of metabolic surgery. The surgical patients were propensity matched 1:10 to nonsurgical patients to assemble a cohort of control patients (n = 330) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing. The primary endpoint was the rate of hospital admission. The exploratory endpoints included admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for mechanical ventilation and dialysis during index hospitalization, and mortality. After propensity score matching, outcomes were compared in univariate and multivariate regression models. RESULTS: The average BMI of the surgical group was 49.1 ± 8.8 kg/m2 before metabolic surgery and was down to 37.2 ± 7.1 at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing, compared with the control group's BMI of 46.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2. In the univariate analysis, 6 (18.2%) patients in the metabolic surgery group and 139 (42.1%) patients in the control group were admitted to the hospital (P = .013). In the multivariate analysis, a prior history of metabolic surgery was associated with a lower hospital admission rate compared with control patients with obesity (odds ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.11-0.88; P = .028). While none of the 4 exploratory outcomes occurred in the metabolic surgery group, 43 (13.0%) patients in the control group required ICU admission (P = .021), 22 (6.7%) required mechanical ventilation, 5 (1.5%) required dialysis, and 8 (2.4%) patients died. CONCLUSION: Prior metabolic surgery with subsequent weight loss and improvement of metabolic abnormalities was associated with lower rates of hospital and ICU admission in patients with obesity who became infected with SARS-CoV-2. Confirmation of these findings will require larger studies.

COVID-19 and Obesity: Is Bariatric Surgery Protective? Retrospective Analysis on 2145 Patients Undergone Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery from High Volume Center in Italy (Lombardy).

INTRODUCTION: On February 20, 2020, a severe case of pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 was diagnosed in northern Italy (Lombardy). Some studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for severe disease in patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severity in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the lockdown period (until May 2020), we contacted operated patients by phone and social networks (e.g., Facebook) to maintain constant contact with them; in addition, we gave the patients a dedicated phone number at which to call us for emergencies. We produced telemedicine and educational videos for obese and bariatric patients, and we submitted a questionnaire to patients who had undergone bariatric surgery in the past. RESULTS: A total of 2145 patients (313 male; 1832 female) replied to the questionnaire. Mean presurgical BMI: 44.5 ± 6.8 kg/m2. Mean age: 44.0 ± 10.0 year. Mean BMI after surgery: 29.3 ± 5.5 kg/m2 (p < 0.05). From February to May 2020, 8.4% of patients reported that they suffered from at least one symptom among those identified as related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thirteen patients (0.6%) tested positive for COVID-19. Six patients (0.3%) were admitted to the COVID Department, and 2 patients (0.1%) were admitted to the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Although the reported rates of symptoms and fever were high, only 0.6% of patients tested positive for COVID-19. Among more than 2000 patients who underwent bariatric surgery analyzed in this study, only 0.1% needed ICU admission.

Recommendations for bariatric and metabolic surgical operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

The world has been struggling with the COVID-19 virus since December 2019. Turkey has also been battling with the virus since March 2019. While struggling with this unknown virus, we have postponed our new bariatric surgeries like most elective surgery. However, curfew and quarantine period (increase in food intake and decreased physical activity) increases risks for morbidity and mortality because of obesity and diabetes. When the pandemic decreases and disappears, many obesity patients will seek treatment for obesity and the workload of surgeons will increase. Before bariatric and metabolic surgery operations, which is the most effective treatment of obesity and related comorbidities, necessary precautions must be determined and implemented to protect patients and healthcare workers before and during surgery. In this review, it was aimed to determine the pre-peri and postoperative periods of bariatric surgical requirements. This review has been written on behalf of the Turkish Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as an initiative in order to answer some questions about bariatric and metabolic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.