Complications of Bariatric Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Band

  • Slippage:
    • Incidence: ~4%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: GERD, pain, vomiting
    • Treatment: laparoscopic removal or reposition
  • Erosion:
    • Incidence: ~1-3%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: pain, loss of restriction, infected port site
    • Treatment: laparoscopic removal
  • Pouch Dilation:
    • Incidence: ~4%
    • Occurrence: 6 months to years out
    • Presentation: GERD, vomiting, unable to achieve balanced restriction
    • Treatment: laparoscopic removal or reposition

Gastric Bypass

  • Leak:
    • Incidence: ~1%
    • Occurrence: 2 days to 2 weeks out
    • Presentation: pain, fever, tachycardia
    • Treatment: EGD stenting or laparoscopic drainage or revision
  • Anastamotic Stricture:
    • Incidence: ~1-3%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: dysphagia, pain, vomiting
    • Treatment: EGD dilation or laparoscopic revision
  • Ulcer:
    • Incidence: ~1-3%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: pain, GI bleed
    • Treatment: Acid suppression medication or laparoscopic revision
  • Intestinal Obstruction:
    • Incidence: ~4%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: pain, vomiting
    • Treatment: laparoscopic repair

Gastric Sleeve

  • Leak:
    • Incidence: ~1%
    • Occurrence: 2 days to 2 weeks out
    • Presentation: pain, fever, tachycardia
    • Treatment: EGD stenting or laparoscopic drainage or revision
  • Stricture:
    • Incidence: ~4%
    • Occurrence: 1 month to years out
    • Presentation: pain, vomiting
    • Treatment: EGD dilation or laparoscopic revision

Note: all weight loss procedures have elevated risk of perioperative pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction