Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Risks of weight loss surgery will vary for each candidate. Therefore, each person should discuss any possible risks with a physician who is familiar with his/her medical history.

Risks for weight loss surgery may include:

• Surgical risk equivalent to open-heart surgery
• Early Complications: leak, bleeding, infection, anastomotic stricture, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia
• Late Complications: ulcer, hernia, bowel obstruction, anemia, B12 and calcium deficiency, dumping syndrome
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Death
  

Special note: many patients have temporary hair loss; some patients complain of excess gas or occasional GI upset in the first few months