Risks are usually categorized as immediate risks which include bleeding, Deep Vein Thrombosis, injury to neighboring organs (like oesophagus and spleen), shoulder pain and delayed risks, such as Pneumonia, Abdominal Infections and Pulmonary Embolism. These risks are common to all abdominal laparoscopic surgeries.
The risks associated specifically with bariatric surgery are chest pain, abdominal hernia, constipation or diarrhea, stoma obstruction, stretching of the stomach and reoperation for various reasons.
Majority of complications are minor, and may prolong in-hospital stay by a day or two. These are usually treated with medications.
Some complications, however, may have to be corrected surgically. These include staple line leaks, injury to surrounding organs, stomal obstruction, and gall stone formation. Hence, bariatric surgeries are best performed in a quaternary care centre, with 24 hour access to all possible medical facilities.
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