Risks of Surgery

Indications Bariatric surgery is intended for people who are 100 pounds or more overweight (with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater) and who have not had success with other, less risky weight loss therapies such as diet, exercise, and medications. In some cases, a person with a BMI of 35 or greater and one or more co-morbid condition may be considered for bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery should not be considered until you and your doctor have explored all other options. The best approach to bariatric surgery calls for a discussion of the following:

• Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic surgery.
• Bariatric surgery does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or surgical removal.
• Together, you and your doctor should discuss the benefits and risks.
• You must commit to long-term lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, which are key to the success of bariatric surgery.
• Complications after surgery may require further operations.
• Patients who underwent bariatric surgery have significantly reduced rates of developing cancer, cardiovascular diseases, endocrinological disorders, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, psychiatric disorders, and pulmonary disorders.⁶

As with any surgery, there may be immediate and long-term complications and risks. Discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare team.
Possible risks associated with abdominal surgery can include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding
• Pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pneumonia
• Complications due to anesthesia and medications
• Deep vein thrombosis (clotting in the veins, commonly in the lower extremities or pelvis)
• Carbon dioxide embolism
• Injury to the stomach, esophagus, or surrounding organs
• Dehiscence (separation of areas that are stitched or stapled together)
• Infections
• Leaks from staple lines
• Marginal ulcers
• Pulmonary problems, pulmonary embolism
• Spleen injury (to control operative bleeding, removal of the spleen may be necessary)
• Stroke or heart attack
• Stenosis (narrowing of a passage, such as a valve)
• Death

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Dumping syndrome
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Gallstones
• Diarrhea
• Increased gas
• Chest pain
• Collapsed lung
• Constipation
• Abdominal hernia
• Dehydration
• Enlarged heart
• Esophageal spasm
• Gastrointestinal injury
• Gastrointestinal swelling
• GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease)
• Inflammation of the esophagus
• Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Inflammation of the stomach
• Kidney tubular necrosis
• Pain caused by passing a gallstone
• Stoma obstruction
• Stretching of the stomach
• Back pain
• Depression
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Flatulence
• General abdominal pain
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Hypertension
• Inflammation of the nasal passages
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Influenza
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Pain after surgery
• Port site pain
• Upper abdominal pain
• Upset stomach
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Selective food intolerance
• Dyspepsia
• Ulceration
• Gastroenteritis
• Reflux esophagitis
• Gas bloat
• Esophageal dysmotility
• Weight regain

• Migration of implant, which includes band erosion, band slippage, and port displacement
• Tubing related complications, which include port disconnection and tube kinking
• Abdominal hernia
• Band leak
• Chest pain
• Collapsed lung
• Constipation
• Dehydration
• Enlarged heart
• Esophageal spasm
• Gallstones
• Gastrointestinal injury
• Gastrointestinal swelling
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Inflammation of the esophagus
• Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Inflammation of the stomach
• Kidney tubular necrosis
• Pain caused by passing a gallstone
• Port site infection
• Pulmonary embolism
• Stoma obstruction
• Stretching of the stomach
• Surgical procedure repeated
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Depression
• Nausea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Flatulence
• General abdominal pain
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Hypertension
• Inflammation of the nasal passages
• Inflammation of the sinuses
• Influenza
• Insomnia
• Joint pain
• Pain after surgery
• Port site pain
• Upper abdominal pain
• Upset stomach
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Selective food intolerance
• Dyspepsia
• Ulceration
• Gastroenteritis
• Reflux esophagitis
• Gas bloat
• Esophageal dysmotility
• Weight regain
• Fluid leakage from the balloon or tubing
• Esophageal dilation
• Gastric prolapse
• Fistula
• Diarrhea

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