Risks and Complications
Weight Loss Surgery Risks Vary, Vigilance is Required
The greatest risk in bariatric surgery—death—ranges from 1 in 1000 persons to 12 in 1000 persons, depending on the type of surgery involved, said David Greenbaum, M.D., medical director of the bariatric surgery program at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. (See specifics in Bariatric Surgery At a Glance chart. [18K PDF])
"There are two major complications that acutely occur," he said. "One is leaks (in staples, closures, etc.). But that generally does not happen with the gastric band because we're not cutting anything, which is why that procedure is the safest. The other complication issue is blood clots and pulmonary emboli, which are significant, acute complications.
"The mortality usually occurs from a leak that goes undetected or a massive blood clot that goes to the lungs. They are rare, but when it happens it is significant and they have to be treated very aggressively. We are very cognizant of that fact and very aggressive in making diagnoses of these problems if they happen."
Other, longer-term problems that can arise as a result of bariatric surgery: internal hernias and bowel obstructions, ulcers, and malabsorptive complications because the patient is not getting sufficient vitamins.
"For example, with the gastric bypass and duodenal switch you can have iron deficiency anemia or you could get osteopororis from calcium malabsorption," he said.
There is no malabsorption with the gastric band, so patients are advised only to take a multi-vitamin. But gastric bypass patients are given a vitamin supplement regimen to follow. (See specifics in Bariatric Surgery At a Glance chart. [18K PDF])
As with any operation, infection is a general risk in bariatric surgery.
To locate a Lourdes Health System bariatric surgeon by phone, call 1-888-LOURDES.
