Complications of sleeve gastrectomy are fortunately rare, but are important to know.

 It is essential to evaluate the operational risk compared to the anticipated profits of sleeve gastrectomy,  
   before taking the decision to have an operation.

 This risk is related to your medical history (cardiac, pulmonary…) and with the procedure (surgery and anaesthesia).

First week

Operational complications are possible, they can bring to stop the procedure : perforation, haemorrhage, impossibility of intubation of the trachea. A section of the stomach is made, with the risk of fistulisation, requiring a new intervention, and of haemorrhage. They are serious complications, with a vital pronostic. The phlebitis and pulmonary embolisms are prevented by the use of anticoagulant drugs with low dose and the port of special socks.

First month

An infection on the level of a small scar is possible.

After the first month

Nutritional deficiencies are possible :  Particularly Calcium, iron, folates and B12 vitamin. They can be responsible for an anaemia. They are avoided by an additional contribution by oral way and regular blood analysis.    Gastric ulcer :   It is avoided by specific drugs.    Anastomosis stenosis :  It is revealed by brutal vomiting. It requires radiographies and a scanner to make the diagnosis.

Later on

The long-term results are not actually known. The result on the weight loss at 5 years is intermediate between the bypass and the gastroplasty: approximately 60% of the excess of weight, but that must be confi rmed by scientific studies. It is possible that the tube dilates and had no utility after 3 years or more. Failures of Sleeve are possible, the causes are the same as gastroplasty and bypass : No medical monitoring by an experienced team. No modifications of the food behavior. No resumption of a regular physical-activity. These failures stress the importance of the assessment before the intervention, the good knowledge of the food constraints and the anticipated results of sleeve.