Risks and Possible Complications of Weight Loss Surgery
Los Angeles, California
An estimated 11 million American adults suffer from morbid obesity. This condition is not only physically uncomfortable; it can also lead to a host of serious and potentially life-threatening health problems. Bariatric surgeon Dr. Carson Liu has dedicated his professional life to helping obese patients lose weight and begin living healthier lives through surgical weight control methods. While he has helped hundreds of patients in his Los Angeles, California practice, the decision to undergo weight loss surgery should not be taken lightly.
Like other surgical procedures, weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, is not without potential risks and complications. Bleeding, infection or unfavorable reactions to anesthesia are always possible during surgery. The two different types of bariatric surgeries (restrictive and malabsorptive) also carry additional complications that should be fully explained to patients before they undergo this type of procedure.
Gastric Bypass Risks
Gastric bypass surgery is a malabsorptive procedure that actually changes the size of your stomach and reconfigures the positioning of your small intestines. Because this is a highly invasive procedure, complications can include:
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Vitamin and mineral deficiency
- Stomach staple leaks
- Leakage where the stomach meets the intestine
- Hernia at the incision site
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Intolerance of certain types of foods
- Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
- Bleeding stomach ulcer
- Blood clots in the legs
- Bowel obstruction
- Death
LAP-BAND® Risks
The LAP-BAND procedure does not permanently alter the stomach, but rather uses a silicone ring around the stomach that can be inflated to create different sizes of a "mini stomach" and limit the amount of food consumed. While this may seem like a virtually risk-free procedure, there can be complications, including:
- Gastric perforation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation)
- Irritation of the stomach tissue
- Slippage of the LAP-BAND
- Blockage of the stomach outlet
- LAP-BAND leakage or erosion
- Enlargement of the stomach pouch
- Problems with esophageal functions
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bloating
- Death
Every patient is unique and will have his or her own set of risk factors. By following all of Dr. Liu’s pre- and post-operative instructions, listening to your body and fully communicating with Dr. Liu and his staff, your chances for serious complications will be greatly reduced.
If you would like to learn more about weight loss surgery options, please contact extreme weight loss surgeon Dr. Carson Liu today for an initial consultation in our Los Angeles, California office.
