What are the risks of weight-loss surgery?
Abdominal hernia is the most common complication requiring follow-up surgery, though laparoscopic techniques have reduced this problem. Less common complications include breakdown of the staple line and stretched stomach outlets. Like anyone who loses a lot of weight or loses weight quickly, some patients who have weight-loss surgery may develop gallstones. Gallstones are clumps of cholesterol and other matter that form in the gallbladder. Taking supplemental bile salts for the first six months after surgery can help prevent gallstones, but be sure to talk to your doctor first. Some of patients who have weight-loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Fortunately, these deficiencies can usually be avoided with sufficient vitamin and mineral intakes. Women of childbearing age who have weight-loss surgery should avoid pregnancy until their weight stabilizes because rapid weight loss or nutritional deficiencies could harm a deve
