Reasons Against Weight Loss Surgery

There are always risks with surgery. And there are steps you can take to minimize your risks. Complications can't always be prevented but the risks can be minimized. You and your doctor will weigh any potential complications against the risks of your not having the procedure at all.

Complications of bariatric surgery include, but are not limited to:

• Bleeding from a tear to the liver, spleen, or blood vessels
  
  
• Bowel obstruction, requiring further surgery
  
  
• Cardiac problems. Greatest risk in patients who are the most overweight, or who have cardiac disease
  
  
• Complications due to anesthesia and medications.
  
  
• Deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots in the large leg veins. They become serious when they float up into the blood vessels of the lungs. Prevention methods include wearing compression stockings, taking blood thinners and walking as soon as possible after surgery.
  
  
• Dehiscence or rupture of a wound
  
  
• Gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as long-term nausea or food intolerance.
  
  
• Hernia. One of the more common complications requiring another operation to fix
  
  
• Infections of the wounds
  
  
• Leaks from a break in the staple line between the stomach pouch and small intestine