	The Surgery Process
	Am I a Candidate
	What Causes Morbid Obesity
	Benefits & Risks
	Frequent Q&A
	Patient Testimonials
	BMI Calculator
	Support Groups
	Life After Surgery
	Billing & Insurance
	Surgery Options
	Weight Loss Surgery For Men
	Appointment Center

Risks & Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

What are the risks of weight loss surgery?

Serious complications can occur with any surgery; fortunately complications remain extremely low. Specific and proper patient preparation, selection along with Dr. Feng’s experience markedly reduces the risk and complications of weight loss surgery.

Risks of LAP-BAND® System or REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band Procedures

Nausea/vomiting
Food getting stuck, needing deflation of band
Overstretched, abnormally widened esophagus
Excessively tightened
Infection
Inadequate weight loss
Weight regain
Device malfunction
Balloon, tube access port breakage
Access port flipping over
Slippage of down along the stomach causing vomiting
Erosion of the silicone band creating a hole in the stomach
Gallstones

Advantages of LAP-BAND® System or REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band Procedures

Only procedure that can be reversed if necessary
Usually done laparoscopically (minimally invasive)
Easier to perform and generally safer than other weight loss options
Outpatient surgery
Results in fewer nutritional deficiencies

Risks of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Leakage
Nausea/vomiting
Acid reflux
Weight regain
Rarely, allows for second surgery for more weight loss
Gallstones

Advantages of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Procedure

Usually done laparoscopically (minimally invasive) with robotic-assistance in patients.
Allows patients of any weight, including the super super obese and high risk patients, to undergo surgery with small incisions
Rapid weight loss
Patients do not experience diarrhea or significant “Dumping Syndrome” symptoms
The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones (Grehlin) is removed
The smaller stomach maintains normal function with no rearrangement of the intestines, reducing risks of protein and vitamin deficiency and thus no significant "Dumping Syndrome" symptoms
Minimal patient effort to lose and maintain weight loss
Better weight loss than the Adjustable Gastric Band procedures
Safe in patients needing long term aspirin, NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, naprosyn, steroid use

Risks of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

Leakage
Infection
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Anemia
Osteoporosis
Strictures at the stomach pouch connection to intestine
Intestinal ulcers at margin of connnection to stomach pouch
Bowel Obstruction from internal intestinal scars, internal hernias or telescoping small intestine (intussusception)
Dumping syndrome
Gallstones
Possible nesideoblastosis disease causing severe hypoglycemia issues
Combined operations are more likely to lead to complications then restrictive operations
Weight regain

Advantages of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

May be more effective in in some studies in improving obesity-related health problems than some restrictive procedures
Rapid weight loss
The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones is bypassed, and thus less hunger is experienced in the first year after surgery but hunger usually returns after about 9 months after surgery
Better weight loss than the Adjustable Gastric Band procedures

Risks of Duodenal Switch Procedure

Excessive or too much weight loss
Leakage
Infection
Diarrhea
Anemia
Bowel obstruction
Gallstones
More vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Abdominal hernia
Combined and more malabsorptive operations are more likely to lead to complications then restrictive operations
Inadequate weight loss
Weight regain

Advantages of Duodenal Switch Procedure

Patients are able to consume larger meals
Rapid weight loss
Stomach function remains intact with normal stomach emptying, and thus “Dumping Syndrome” seldom occurs, like the sleeve gastrectomy
The portion of the stomach producing hunger-stimulating hormones is removed, like the sleeve gastrectomy
Better weight loss than the Adjustable Gastric Band procedures
Safe in patients needing long term aspirin, NSAID such as Motrin, Advil, naprosyn, steroid use

Bariatric surgery has provided lift-changing benefits, when the post surgery guidelines are followed, patients can expect to see the following improvements after surgery.

89% reduction in mortality over 5 years following surgery
Your lifestyle and quality of life improves
Greater participation in family and social activities
Decrease in appetite
Weight loss of 40-80% of excess body weight depending on the surgery and patient effort - Sleeve gastrectomy is 60-80%
Dramatic reduction in medical related conditions:
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Diabetes Mellitus
Esophageal reflux
Leg swelling improves
Low back pain and joint pain relieved or improved