Undergoing bariatric surgery is like turning over a new leaf and can be the start of a lifelong journey to a healthier version of yourself. Doctors that focus specifically on these types of surgeries have become experts at what they do, and they would only recommend you for bariatric surgery if they believe your body can handle it.
That being said, there are risk factors to undergo any surgery, and bariatric surgery can cause complications. Your doctor will talk through each of these possible complications before the surgery so that you know the risks, but being prepared can help you make the decision-making process a little easier.
Weight loss surgery risks
Just like any surgery, weight loss surgery certainly has its risks. Those undergoing any kind of bariatric surgery are not at their strongest because of the extra strain that is put on their body due to excess weight. This can cause complications and side effects down the line both in the short term and in the long term.
- Complications of bariatric surgery
- Anesthesia-related risks – just like any other surgery, when you are put under anesthetic, there are risks involved. Find out more about the risks of anesthetics here.
- Chronic nausea and vomiting – this is a common side effect of bariatric surgery and can be caused by a number of factors, including anesthetic, pain medication, or even the pain itself.
- Infection – After undergoing a medical procedure, there is always a risk of infection if the wound is not kept dry and clean. Ensure that you are adhering to bariatric surgery aftercare to stave off infection.
- Obstruction of the stomach – this is one of the worst complications that can take place after gastric sleeve surgery. It’s caused by stricture or stenosis of the gastric sleeve, meaning that the organ is obstructed from functioning correctly.
- Breakage – an anastomotic leak is a severe complication that can take place after bariatric surgery and is a result of the stomach leaking from the incision. It is very dangerous and should be dealt with immediately. The mortality rate of patients who experience a breakage is 15%, so it is something avoided at all costs.
- Hernia – undergoing bariatric surgery increases the risk of experiencing a hernia by 5 – 25% depending on the type of bariatric surgery and the overall health of the patient.
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the surgical wound – while this is a rare side-effect of bariatric surgery, it is a dangerous one. It needs to be diagnosed quickly to be handled correctly or it could lead to morbidity or even mortality.
- Perforation of the stomach or intestines – this is a rare side effect of the Roux-en-Y surgery. While it is unlikely, it can happen and cause severe abdominal pain and tachycardia which can lead to sepsis if not handled correctly.
- Pulmonary and/or cardiac problems – this is another rare complication of bariatric surgery, but cardiac problems are experienced by a few patients. Your risk for cardiac problems goes up with age, and if you are a male.
- Spleen or other organ injury – spleen ruptures are an uncommon complication of bariatric surgery, but they can happen.
- Stomach or intestine ulceration – ulcers are one of the most common complications caused by bariatric surgery. Between 1 – 16% of patients suffer from ulcers which develop along the staple lines in their stomachs.
Bariatric surgery side effects
- Skin separation – because of the amount of weight you could lose in a short period of time, separation of the skin is to be expected. Skin will likely tighten over time, but undergoing a skin contouring procedure is the most effective way to deal with sagging skin. Find out more about how to deal with loose skin here.
- Acid reflux – this is quite a common side effect of bariatric surgery, but symptoms improve rapidly with weight loss.
- Inability to eat certain foods – your body may struggle to digest certain types of foods after bariatric surgery. This may become a long-term intolerance or could simply last a few weeks or a couple of months.
- Weight gain or failure to lose weight – 50% of patients that opt for bariatric surgery gain 5% of their weight back in 2 – 10 years. This is often caused by difficulty in making permanent lifestyle changes.
- Gallstones – these are caused by rapid weight loss, rather than by the surgery itself but are very common and develop in 35% of patients that undergo bariatric surgery.
Gastric bypass side effects years later
- Dumping syndrome – this is a complication of gastric bypass surgery that can develop over time. Dumping syndrome is when food is dumped from the stomach straight into the intestine without being digested. This either takes place directly after a meal or 1 – 3 hours after a meal.
- Low blood sugar – this is a complication of gastric bypass surgery but luckily it rarely gets so severe that it warrants hospitalization. It can be monitored rather easily to keep blood sugar levels under control.
- Malnutrition – the combination of malabsorption and maldigestion after bariatric surgery can lead to malnutrition. For this reason, it’s important to take the right bariatric vitamins to stay in optimal health.
- Vomiting – this is normal post-surgery, but if it persists for months or even years later, it could be caused by a narrowing, stricture, or even twisting of the stomach tube.
- Ulcers – a sore or ulcer can develop along the staple line months after surgery which can cause discomfort.
- Bowel obstruction – small bowel obstruction can cause mild irritation or warrant a visit to the emergency room. This is usually caused by either adhesions or an internal hernia.
- Hernias – the risk of having a hernia after bariatric surgery is 5 – 25%. The risk increases depending on your overall health and the type of bariatric surgery you are having.
Final thoughts on bariatric surgery complications
While there are many risk factors to think about when considering bariatric surgery as a weight loss option, these are surgeries that still improve your quality of life. If your doctor believes you have a high risk of experiencing complications, these will be talked through with you before undergoing any operation to ensure you are comfortable with the risks.
Learn more about our weight loss solutions here!