Bariatric surgery is becoming an increasingly safer procedure, but there are risks associated with it nonetheless. While most patients would argue that the weight loss benefits they’re received far outweigh the potential negative side effects, it’s still important to take them into consideration. Here is a look at some of the most common health risks associated with bariatric surgery.
Surgical Risks
There are several risks that most surgical procedures share in common. While the chances of something going wrong during surgery are low, there’s still always a risk involved. The most common of these is an adverse reaction to general anesthesia. Most of the time this manifests only as minor breathing problems, but in extremely rare cases a fatal reaction may occur.
Uncontrolled bleeding and infection at the site of incision also pose a threat. However, some bariatric procedures, such as having a lap band fitted, require only a very small incision, which means that the chances of either one of these occurring is very low.
Obesity is one factor that increases the risk of surgical complications, and it’s safe to assume that patients undergoing bariatric surgery will be obese. However, your doctor will be able to better tell how significant of a risk is involved in your own procedure and can help you decide whether it’s wise to proceed with it.
Post-Surgical Risks
When it comes to surgeries that help reduce the amount of nutrients absorbed by the stomach, such as gastric bypass, one of the biggest concerns after your procedure will be malnutrition. The risk of protein deficiency is especially concerning. However, your doctor will put you on a specialized diet that will address these concerns if followed correctly.
Both types of procedure—those that reduce nutritional absorption and those that restrict the volume of food in the stomach—put patients at a risk for gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, nausea, gas, and cramping. While these issues are quite common among bariatric patients, they’re generally not life-threatening and can be managed with a few small lifestyle changes.
Finally, bariatric surgery puts you at a higher risk of gallstones than the average population. According to some studies, as many as 50% of patients will develop them after their procedure. There are surgeons elect to remove the gallbladder during the surgery, but this is still viewed as controversial due to the number of people who will be unaffected by the gallstones.
