Both complications and mortality are uncommon in this type of intervention when they are carried out by specialists with proven experience and in hospital units with multidisciplinary teams. The development and implementation of laparoscopy has minimized surgical aggression, reducing postoperative pain, shortening hospital stay and reducing complications.
The risks inherent in these procedures are discussed in detail during the clinical interview in the consultation, and are thus included in the Informed Consent model that each patient reads and signs before the intervention.
- The risk of surgical mortality (30 postoperative days) of this type of intervention when performed in Specialized Units is 0.2%, similar to that of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removing the gallbladder).
- The accepted overall mortality risk is less than approximately 1% (combining low and high risk cases).
- The risk of severe complications (leaks and/or peritonitis) is 0.5-1% depending on the technique, and the risk of minor complications (wound infection, urine infection, respiratory infections, etc.) is around 5%.
Complications
Potentially serious complications: Perforation or leak of the stomach and/or intestine, causing peritonitis and abscesses, internal bleeding, injury to internal organs, obstruction of the reservoir outlet.
- Pulmonary complications: pneumonia, atelectasis, embolisms,…
- Cardiovascular complications: heart attacks, arrhythmias, stroke,…
- Hepatorenal complications: insufficiency, hepatitis, cirrhosis,…), psychosocial problems, etc.
- Minor complications: wound infection, abdominal wall hernia, scar deformity and loose skin, urinary infection, allergic reactions, nausea or vomiting, esophagitis, low electrolyte or blood sugar levels, low blood pressure, narrowing or dilation of the stoma – union of the gastric reservoir with the intestine, anemia, temporary hair loss, constipation or diarrhea, gallstones, stomach or intestinal ulcer, insufficient weight loss, intolerance to rapidly absorbed refined sugars, etc.
Typically, the patient is admitted on the same day as the intervention, the intervention and postoperative period pass normally, and they are discharged 24 hours after surgery with dietary information for home care until subsequent check-ups. In certain cases (not extreme obesity, close home and no severe comorbidities) we offer SURGERY WITHOUT ADMISSION, and the patient is discharged the same day of the intervention with home monitoring.
With some exceptions, patients recover well from anesthesia and go to their room, without the need for ICU.
All patients are prescribed antibiotic and thromboembolic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin and antithrombotic pneumatic stockings, in addition to gastric protection.
