Bariatric surgery is now the treatment of choice for morbid obesity, but is not without risk. Patients are cared for in specialised centres, but complications can present to non-specialised centres. We describe life-threatening re-feeding oedema in a patient following routine deflation of a gastric band. Band deflation or removal may be required for various reasons, but rapid release of the band without additional supplementation of electrolytes may be dangerous due to re-feeding syndrome.