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At our center, weight-loss surgery is usually performed laparoscopically — a less-invasive way of doing the surgery through several very small abdominal incisions. Laparoscopic weight-loss surgery typically requires a hospital stay of one to two days if everything progresses as expected. Most patients can resume normal work activities within two weeks after surgery. In some cases, it is not possible to complete the surgery laparoscopically. This will extend the hospital stay and recovery time.
In general, the rate of surgical complications for Gastric Bypass and Duodenal Switch is 5 to10 percent. The rate of surgical complications is typically lower for Sleeve Gastrectomy and Lap-Band as these are less complex surgical procedures. For all weight-loss surgeries, surgical complications can include wound infection, bleeding, leak at the staple line, leak at the site of intestinal reattachment (GB and DS only), injury to the spleen, abdominal abscess, peritonitis, blood clots, cardiac arrest, and death. Surgical mortality rate is less than one percent.
Late complications include narrowing of the outlet from the stomach pouch requiring a minor procedure to re-open it (GB only), frequent vomiting, diarrhea, ulcer formation, gallstones, hernia, adhesions (internal scar tissue that can cause blockage), and small bowel obstruction. Nutritional deficiencies and problems that can occur over time include anemia, B-12 deficiency, osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), and protein malnutrition. Specific Lap-Band complications include problems with the band slipping out of place or eroding into the stomach.