An unusual suspect: coconut bezoar after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract

Nausea and vomiting after gastric bypass are common, but some of the underlying causes may be life threatening or, in some cases, unusual. This case report describes a patient who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and whose postoperative course was complicated by a bezoar in the gastric pouch. To our knowledge, this is the first published report addressing a coconut bezoar in the gastric pouch after gastric bypass surgery. Coconut (cocos nucifera) is known to form emulsions and suspensions, properties likely to have contributed to this patient's condition. Nutritional counseling should be an ongoing process in the postoperative care of gastric bypass patients in an effort to prevent serious complications that may arise from dietary indiscretions.