Risks of Bariatric Surgery

All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk, and bariatric surgery is no exception. Weight loss surgery is fundamentally an elective procedure, and the risks must be carefully considered before undergoing an operation. Your specific questions may be best addressed by your surgeon, but some general information on risks of the procedure follows.

Bariatric surgery requires the use of general anesthesia. This requires placement of a temporary breathing tube during the procedure. This, in and of itself, may cause complications, ranging from a sore throat or a chipped tooth, to death, in rare cases.

The overall rate of complications in bariatric surgery is between 5 and 10 percent, with most of these complications being minor. More common complications include wound infections and atelectasis, a condition where the smallest portions of the lung remained closed. Ultimately, atelectasis may lead to pneumonia. Additionally, the stress of bariatric surgery may worsen heart problems in surgical patients. Some patients develop blood clots in their legs, known as deep venous thrombosis (DVTs). Finally, any new intestinal connection that is created may not heal well, resulting in a leak.

Any of these complications may occur in an operation, some people are at higher risk for complications than others. Please consult your doctor for more information.