Risks of Weight Loss Surgery

Although weight loss surgery is a relatively safe procedure, with any major surgery there are risks that a patient must consider. The Texas Center for Medical and Surgical weight loss take all precautions to reduce the risks of complications, but no surgical procedure is 100% risk free.

Below are some of the common risks with weight loss surgery:

• There have been small incidences of wound infection, respiratory problems, blood clots, ulcers, spleen injury, complications from anesthesia and medications, gallstones, or stenosis.

• Nutritional deficiencies (i.e. anemia, osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease) can occur, but they can be avoided by taking vitamins and minerals regularly after surgery.

• A very small percentage of patients may develop a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that travels to the lungs), respiratory failure, or a gastrointestinal leak.  Our surgeons and nurses take every possible step before, during, and after surgery to prevent these complications, but they can still occur in rare cases.

• A very small percentage of patients may require follow-up operations in the future.

• The approximate risk of death is 0.5% of patients undergoing weight loss surgery in the United States. 
  

  Click Here to Request More information on Weight Loss Surgery