What are some of the bariatric surgery risks?  They range from annoying to life-threatening.

Fortunately, serious weight loss surgery complications are pretty rare; still, you need to know about them — before deciding on having bariatric surgery! 

Serious Bariatric Surgery Risks

These can include the biggie (death) through infection.  With the improvements to surgery, the death rate is now less than 1%, so it’s unlikely you’ll run across this complication.  Nevertheless, weight loss surgery is a major medical procedure, and not to be undertaken lightly.

What are some other complications to bariatric surgery?  They include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Thrombosis
  • Infection; local or systemic
  • Bleeding, possibly requiring additional surgery

Other Possible Complications

Some other complications may be just annoying or rather serious.  And they can also vary depending on the type of surgery performed.  Some possible complications arising from weight loss surgery include the following:

  • Hernias
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiency
  • Dumping
  • Ulcers

Now not all surgeries carry the same risks.  For example, in adjustable lap band surgery, there’s a chance that the band will erode the stomach exterior, or that the saline port will flip.  However, it is extremely rare for a lap band patient to experience dumping (common in gastric bypass and occasionally in duodenal switch patients).

Acid reflux and diarrhea are relatively common side effects, although they can normally be well-controlled by following the eating plan to a T.

If you want to know more about bariatric surgery risks, take a look at the page on the Obesity Help website (an excellent resource).

The best single thing you can do before deciding on whether or not to have bariatric surgery is to do your homework; look at the benefits, risks and what you can expect 5 or 10 years from now.  Then you’re in a better position to decide if it’s right for you