Complications of Bariatric Surgery

Weight Loss surgery is a major operation. As with all major surgeries, there are associated risks and complications.

Obese patients have a higher surgical risk than non-obese patients. Patients with additional illnesses that may be related to obesity such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnea are at even higher risk for complications.

Some of the major complications that could occur during or immediately following the surgery include leak of stomach fluids from surgical connections, pneumonia, wound infection, deep vein thrombosis (clots in the veins in the legs) and pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs).

There is a 0.5-2-percent risk of death. This rate is similar to that for other major operations such as abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or lung cancer surgeries.

In addition, there are complications that can occur months to years after bariatric surgery. These include, but are not limited to, hernias, strictures (narrowing at surgical connections), bowel obstructions, ulcers and gallbladder problems.

A review of possible complications and any questions you may have concerning surgical complications will be discussed at the information session and further explained during your surgical consultation.