Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks

Despite the various potential risks and complications, morbidly obese people who have gastric bypass surgery have an 89% lower risk of death in the next five years compared with morbidly obese people who don’t. They also have a much lower long-term risk of death. The long-term benefits are greatest among young people under 40 and the morbidly obese.

Gastric bypass surgery leads to an average of 65 to 80% reduction of excess body weight, which can reduce and prevent obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, and improve the quality of life for people who are morbidly obese.

• Hyperlipidemia is corrected in over 70% of patients.
• Essential hypertension is relieved in over 70% of patients, and medication requirements are usually reduced in the remainder.
• Obstructive sleep apnea is significantly improved with weight loss, so that most patients are asymptomatic, and often do not even snore, within one year.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2 is reversed in up to 90% of patients, usually leading to a normal blood sugar without medication, sometimes within days of surgery.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease is relieved from the time of surgery in almost all patients.
• Venous thromboembolic disease signs such as leg swelling are typically much improved.
• Low back pain and joint pain are typically relieved or improved in nearly all patients.

People who have gastric bypass surgery show lower risks of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and mental disorders compared with those who don’t.