Blood clot (pulmonary embolism)
Heart attack
Leak in the surgical connections with the intestines
Serious infection or bleeding
The risk of complications is lower at centers that perform more than 100 weight loss surgeries per year. Deaths in the month following gastric bypass surgery are rare (about 0.2% to 0.5%, or less than one in 200 people) when the procedure is performed by a highly experienced surgeon.
Other health problems can also occur as a result of the surgery. For example, the decrease in the absorption of nutrients like iron and calcium can cause anemia and osteoporosis. But taking nutritional supplements and getting blood tests can reduce this risk.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Weight Loss center for more helpful articles and tips.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ‘Ask Dr. Renee’. Follow me on Twitter @AskDrRenee and on my website.
Q&A: Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Safe? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
