Bariatric surgery in HIV-infected patients: review of literature

Obesity is now a common problem among HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Until recently, HIV infection has been considered a contraindication to bariatric surgery for various reasons. Insurance carriers have considered HIV a terminal disease, and surgeons have been reluctant to operate HIV-infected patients because of this, as well as the associated risk of infectious transmissions, although this has been changing. Gastric bypass surgery may be an option for some patients who have failed diet and therapeutic lifestyle changes, modification in ART or other treatment modalities for HIV/ART-related lipohypertrophy and obesity. However, few data are available regarding HIV-related outcomes after such surgery and its impact on ART tolerability. The aim of this study is to review bariatric surgery in HIV-infected patients.