Death

Death occurs in about 0.5 percent (one in every two hundred) of people who undergo this procedure. While the risk is low, it is not zero.

This is about the same risk as any other major abdominal surgery. But this is elective surgery.

Making the big decision to have bariatric surgery may feel like taking a big risk. You are right, it is a big risk, but there are things you can do to reduce it. For example, quitting smoking, losing some weight, and developing an exercise program (even a little walking) before surgery can reduce your risk of major complications and death following surgery.