Background

Cannabis use has increased amongst patients seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Unfortunately, there is a lack of empirical data regarding the impact of cannabis use pre-and post-operatively on long-term outcomes following MBS. Given that the State of Minnesota legalized recreational cannabis use in August 2023 and in the absence of national guidelines for patients seeking MBS, our multidisplinary team decided to establish semi-standardized recommendations for cannabis use pre- and post-operatively for patients seeking MBS. These recommendations were guided by multidisciplinary team discussion and review of 1) the existing relavant literature (including impact on perioperative complications, eating behaviors, weight outcomes, and addictive behaviors), 2) ASMBS pre-operative optimization guidelines, 3) American College of Surgeons guidelines for cannabis use, and 4) consultation with cannabis subject matter experts within the team. The primary goal of the development of these recommendations was to balance patient access to MBS with medical, surgical, nutritional, and psychological risk factors related to cannabis use and to inform optimal care pathways for patients currently using medical and recreational cannabis. This poster will summarize the empirical literature in the areas outlined above and describe in detail our program's current recommendations for clinical practice related to cannabis use prior to and following MBS. Information presented in the poster will provide a model of care regarding medical and recreational cannabis use and aid team-based clinical decision making as we await further empirical findings and national guidelines regarding cannabis use to enhance MBS clinical care.