What are the risks and complications of bariatric surgery?

Weight loss surgery – also known as bariatric surgery – is known to have many complications, including death.

The most recent example was the death of Lisa Marie Presley, which the authorities confirmed was caused by small bowel obstruction due to complications from bariatric surgery.

According to the NHS, weight loss surgery is used as a treatment for people who are ‘very obese’.

While it can lead to significant weight loss and improve obesity-driven conditions – such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure – it’s a major operation and should only be considered after trying to lose weight through a healthy diet or exercise.

Weight loss surgery is available on the NHS, but you must meet a certain threshold to qualify for an assessment to check if the surgery is suitable for you.

On the other hand, private weight loss surgery is also possible, but it’s expensive (costing between £4,000 and £15,000) and can increase your risk of further health issues in future.

This is especially true if you go abroad for such a procedure, as you may not be protected by the same regulations or be offered the same aftercare as in the UK.

You should talk to your GP if this is something you’re considering, regardless of how you get it done.

Plus, as all methods require a major operation, it’s important to be aware of the risks of bariatric surgery.

These are the potential complications, both long and short-term, that can arise.

Blood clots

While you will have treatment to reduce your risk of blood clots before surgery, as with all operations, there’s still a chance you could develop one.

Common places to get clots after bariatric surgery include the lower legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism).

If you have symptoms that develop soon after your operation, such as your lower leg becoming painful, feeling dizzy, a sharp, stabbing chest pain or a swollen, warm lower leg, don’t ignore it.

It’s important to seek help as soon as you develop symptoms – contact a GP or call NHS 111 as soon as possible.

Malnutrition

Weight loss surgeries manipulate your gut, which it makes it harder to absorb important minerals and vitamins from food.

There’s a risk you might become malnourished, but having a balanced diet and taking extra nutritional supplements as directed by your doctor can reduce it.

If you experience symptoms such as feeling tired all the time, palpitations, shortness of breath, pale skin or feeling weak, seek medical guidance.

Bowel obstruction

This complication was noted as the cause of Lisa Marie Presley’s death, and is when the stomach or small intestine becomes narrowed or blocked completely after bariatric surgery.

This usually happens due to scar tissue accumulating, or reduced blood flow to the area.

The blockage can then cause complications, such as your gut becoming twisted or food getting stuck, leading to symptoms such as constant vomiting, stomach pain and pooing less than usual.

Again, it’s important you report these symptoms to a healthcare professional.

Wound infections

Sometimes the wounds from your surgery can become infected while they’re healing.

Signs of a wound infection can include pain in or around the wound, red, hot and swollen skin and pus coming from the wound.

Contact a GP or NHS 111 if you think your wound may be infected.

Leaks or slipping

In the days or weeks after a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, there’s a small chance that food could leak out into your stomach – which can cause a serious stomach infection.

Symptoms of a leak can include a high temperature, a fast heartbeat, tummy pain, chills and shivering and fast breathing.

NHS guidance states you should call your GP or 111 as soon as possible if you have these symptoms, as you might need surgery to repair the leak and antibiotics to treat any infection.

Excess skin

As you lose weight quickly after surgery, you may be left with excess skin, particularly around your breasts, stomach area, hips and limbs.

Surgery, such as a tummy tuck, can be used to remove the excess skin.

However, its usually considered cosmetic surgery so is not always available on the NHS – you would need to ask your GP to find out if it’s offered in your local area.

Gallstones

It’s common to develop gallstones in the first year or two after weight loss surgery.

These are small, hard stones in the gallbladder that can form if you lose weight quickly.

The main symptom of gallstones is episodes of severe stomach pain that come on suddenly, lasting from a few minutes to a few hours.

They can also sometimes cause symptoms such as a high temperature, yellowing of the skin, shivering and confusion.

See a GP if you have symptoms of gallstones as you might need an operation to remove your gallbladder.

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