ObjectiveTo summarize the progress of research on the interaction between bariatric surgery and intestinal flora at home and abroad in recent years, in order to provide new ideas for promoting recovery after bariatric surgery. MethodThe domestic and international literature of intestinal flora changes after bariatric surgery was searched and reviewed. ResultsThe main changes of the intestinal flora after bariatric surgery showed that the abundance of thick-walled bacteria was decreased and the numbers of Bacteroides and Aspergillus were increased. Some common complications after bariatric surgery such as anastomotic fistula, nutritional deficiencies, and inflammation were related to the intestinal flora imbalance. Supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, or fecal microbial transplantation were expected to reduce the incidence of complications after bariatric surgery. ConclusionsBariatric surgery is a durable and effective method for treating obesity and its comorbidities. Changes in individual intestinal flora after bariatric surgery have an impact on both weight loss outcomes and postoperative complications, and it is important to find ways to reduce postoperative complications after bariatric surgery by improving intestinal flora.