OBJECTIVE: To assess the postural control and flexibility of obese subjects before and both six and 12 months after bariatric surgery. To verify whether postural control is related to flexibility following weight reductions resulting from bariatric surgery. METHODS: The sample consisted of 16 subjects who had undergone bariatric surgery. All assessments were performed before and six and 12 months after bariatric surgery. Postural balance was assessed using an Accusuway¯ portable force platform, and flexibility was assessed using a standard chair sit and reach test (Wells’ chair). RESULTS: With the force platform, no differences were observed in the displacement area or velocity from the center of pressure in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions. The displacement speed from the center of pressure was decreased at the six month after the surgery; however, unchanged from baseline at 12 months post-surgery. Flexibility increased over time according to the three measurements tested. CONCLUSIONS: Static postural balance did not change. The velocity of postural adjustment responses were increased at six months after surgery. Therefore, weight loss promotes increased flexibility. Yet, improvements in flexibility are not related to improvements in balance.

RACIONAL: O anel de silicone é utilizado como fator de contensão do bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux para induzir maior perda ponderal. No entanto, ele pode ter alguns inconvenientes nesta restrição forçada. OBJETIVO: Analisar as complicações relacionadas ao anel em pacientes submetidos à operação de bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux. MÉTODOS: De 1994 a 2005, 7 000 pacientes foram submetidos à bypass gástrico em Y-de-Roux com anel de silicone para o tratamento da obesidade mórbida. Apenas 50% foram acompanhados de dois a 11 anos. A perda média de peso em excesso foi de cerca de 85%. Mas complicações do anel foram registrados em 160 pacientes (2,28% do total e 4,56% dos pacientes seguidos). Assim, esta série é composta de 38 pacientes do sexo masculino (23,8%) e 122 pacientes do feminino (76,2%) com idade média de 44 anos e IMC de 54,4 kg/m². RESULTADOS: Cinco tipos de complicações do anel foram encontradas. A mais frequente foi o de deslocamento (61%) causando sintomas de obstrução. A segunda, foi a erosão do anel de luz (22%), causando dor epigástrica e náuseas. A presença de anel estreito, anel aberto e a inadequação do mesmo são outras complicações que acorreram, porém em menor percentual. CONCLUSÕES: As complicações do anel ocorrem em baixa frequência. Sua remoção, cirúrgica ou endoscópica, é o tratamento mais usual, mas com sua realização o paciente tende a recuperar o peso perdido.

BACKGROUND: The silicone ring is used as containment factor of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to induce greater ponderal loss. However, it may have some inconveniences from this stressed restriction. AIM: To analyze the complications related to silicone ring in patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery with silicon ring. METHODS: From 1994 to 2005, 7 000 patients were submitted to Roux-in-Y gastric bypass with silicone ring in order to treat morbid obesity. Only 50% were followed from two to 11 years. The mean excess weight loss was around 85%. But ring complications were registered in 160 patients (2,28% of the total and 4,56% of the followed patients). Therefore, this series consist of 38 male patients (23.8%) and 122 female patients (76.2%) with average age of 44 years old and BMI of 54.4 kg/m². RESULTS: Five types of ring complications were found. The most frequent was displacement (61%) causing obstructive symptoms. The second most frequent complication was ring erosion to the lumen (22%) causing epigastric pain and nausea. CONCLUSIONS: The ring complications occur in low frequency. Ring removal, either surgical or endoscopically done, is the most usual treatment, but tends to cause partial regain of the weight lost.