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Although gastric bypass surgery can create many health benefits for patients, it also includes some serious health risks. Patients are at risk for complications associated with all surgeries, such as infection or allergy to anesthesia.

Gastric bypass procedures are more difficult to perform than some other forms of bariatric surgery and are more likely to cause long-term nutritional deficiencies, particularly in regard to iron and calcium. This means that menstruating women are more likely to develop anemia. Osteoporosis and other bone diseases may result from calcium deficiency. Recent research also shows that nutritional deficiencies related to gastric bypass surgery may result in serious neurological conditions. To guard against nutritional deficiencies, patients may be given nutritional supplements such as a multivitamin, vitamin B-12 and minerals such as calcium and iron.

Patients who have gastric bypass surgery may also suffer from dumping syndrome, which occurs when a meal high in simple carbohydrates moves too quickly through the small intestine, leading to nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, weakness, sweating, faintness and diarrhea. Patients may also develop an infection such as peritonitis, in addition to abdominal hernia, dehydration, gallstones or stomach ulcer. Research also shows that patients may be at increased risk of developing kidney stones following gastric bypass surgery. Some of these complications may require additional surgery.

Other risks associated with bariatric surgery include:

• Death. Patients have died as a result of these surgeries. Risk levels vary depending upon a person’s age, general health and other medical conditions. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the risk of death from gastric bypass surgery is less than 1 percent.
  
  
• Blood clots in the legs. These clots may form in the legs before traveling to the lungs and into the arteries found there. This can cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. Walking and wearing leg wraps can reduce this risk. Leg exercises may also be recommended.
  
  
• Leaking from a staple line. This severe complication is usually treated with antibiotics, and some cases may require emergency surgery.
  
  
• Narrowed opening connecting the stomach and small intestine. This complication is rare and often can be corrected by an outpatient procedure in which a tube (endoscope) is inserted through the mouth to widen the opening. In some cases, corrective surgery may be necessary.
  
  
• Pneumonia. Patients may have a higher risk of this disease after surgery.