https://www.upmc.com/services/bariatrics/candidate/risks-and-complications
Bariatric Surgery Risks, Complications and Side Effects
All surgical procedures carry risks. Your surgeon will explain all potential bariatric surgery complications, both short and long term, and answer any questions.
What Are the Most Common Post-Op Risks and Side Effects Associated with Bariatric Surgery?
Some bariatric surgery risks include:
Bariatric surgery carries some long-term risks for patients, including:
Risks and side effects vary by bariatric procedure. The following list is not all-inclusive, but briefly outlines risks of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.
Your bariatric surgeon will make sure you understand the risks and complications of your specific procedure.
Risks of Gastric Bypass:
You can help lower some of the risks and possible side effects by:
Bariatric Surgery Risks, Complications and Side Effects
All surgical procedures carry risks. Your surgeon will explain all potential bariatric surgery complications, both short and long term, and answer any questions.
What Are the Most Common Post-Op Risks and Side Effects Associated with Bariatric Surgery?
Some bariatric surgery risks include:
- Acid reflux
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of esophagus
- Inability to eat certain foods
- Infection
- Obstruction of stomach
- Weight gain or failure to lose weight
Bariatric surgery carries some long-term risks for patients, including:
- Dumping syndrome, a condition that can lead to symptoms like nausea and dizziness
- Low blood sugar
- Malnutrition
- Vomiting
- Ulcers
- Bowel obstruction
- Hernias
Risks and side effects vary by bariatric procedure. The following list is not all-inclusive, but briefly outlines risks of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve.
Your bariatric surgeon will make sure you understand the risks and complications of your specific procedure.
Risks of Gastric Bypass:
- Breakage
- Dumping syndrome
- Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
substantial weight loss) - Hernia
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
surgical wound - Leakage
- Perforation of stomach or intestines
- Pouch/anastomotic obstruction or bowel obstruction
- Protein or calorie malnutrition
- Pulmonary and/or cardiac problems
- Skin separation
- Spleen or other organ injury
- Stomach or intestine ulceration
- Stricture
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
- Blood clots
- Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
substantial weight loss) - Hernia
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
surgical wound - Leakage
- Perforation of stomach or intestines
- Skin separation
- Stricture
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
You can help lower some of the risks and possible side effects by:
- Decreasing your Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Increasing your amount of exercise
- Stopping smoking