Semaglutide Linked to Bowel Obstruction in a Patient With Prior Gastric Bypass Surgery | Research

The takeaway

A woman with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass developed intussusception, bowel obstruction, and chemical pancreatitis after starting semaglutide.

Required emergency surgery
Semaglutide-associated intussusception caused small bowel obstruction and pancreatitis in a post-Roux-en-Y patient, necessitating laparoscopic intervention

What the researchers found

Semaglutide use in a post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patient led to intussusception with small bowel obstruction and chemical pancreatitis requiring surgical intervention.

Why it matters

Many patients who have had bariatric surgery are now being prescribed GLP-1 drugs for additional weight management or diabetes control. This case highlights that altered gut anatomy may increase the risk of serious GI complications with these medications.

The numbers in context

Patient: 59-year-old woman with prior Roux-en-Y. Developed long-segment small bowel intussusception, SBO, and chemical pancreatitis. Required laparoscopic surgery converted to laparotomy.

How the study worked

Single case report documenting clinical presentation, imaging findings, surgical intervention, and outcome.

Who was studied

One woman with prior gastric bypass on semaglutide

What this study cannot tell us

Single case report — cannot establish causation or incidence rate. The intussusception may have occurred independently of semaglutide use.

How to read the evidence

Single case report — the lowest level of evidence. While it raises an important safety signal, it cannot prove that semaglutide caused the complication.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, addressing a growing clinical scenario as more post-bariatric patients are prescribed GLP-1 drugs.

The bigger picture

As GLP-1 drugs become more widely prescribed to post-bariatric surgery patients, understanding the unique risks in this population is essential. Altered anatomy and slowed gut motility from GLP-1 drugs may create a dangerous combination.

Questions still open

Are patients with prior bariatric surgery at higher risk for GI complications from GLP-1 drugs?
Should GLP-1 RA prescribing guidelines include specific warnings for post-bariatric surgery patients?

Common questions

Is it safe to take semaglutide after gastric bypass surgery?

This case raises concerns but does not prove it is unsafe. Many post-bariatric patients use GLP-1 drugs without complications. However, the altered gut anatomy may increase risk for rare complications like bowel obstruction. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

What is intussusception?

Intussusception is a condition where one section of the intestine telescopes or folds into an adjacent section, like a collapsible telescope. It can block the intestine and cut off blood supply, requiring emergency surgical treatment.

Read the original research

A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastric Roux-en-Y Patient Prescribed Semaglutide.

Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open, 6(2), 100045

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Pavuluri, Suresh K; Toumar, Ahmad; Duffy, Andrew J. (2025). A Case of Intussusception With Bowel Obstruction in a Gastric Roux-en-Y Patient Prescribed Semaglutide.. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open, 6(2), 100045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acepjo.2025.100045