Infection

Due to poor circulation or underlying diabetes, many overweight people have difficulty healing wounds. Therefore, it is not surprising that between 1 and 5 percent of people develop wound infections at the site of surgery. The risk of wound infection is greatly reduced if surgery can be performed using a laparoscope ( a small instrument with a light on the end). In such a procedure, there are generally six very small incisions sites sites instead of one large one. As a
result hospitalization and recovery time are reduced. In general, a person’s size and whether or not he or she has had previous abdominal surgery are the deciding factors for determining if the laparoscopic approach van be used. The larger the person the less likely he or she will qualify for laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is much more technically demanding than the traditional procedure, but if you qualify for it, it definitely makes recovery quicker and less painful.

Infection of the incisions, or of the inside of the abdomen (peritonitis, abscess) may occur, due to release of bacteria from the bowel during the operat ion. Nosocomial infect ion, such as pneumonia, bladder or kidney infections, and
sepsis (bloodborne infection) are also possible. Effective short-term use of antibiotics, diligent respiratory therapy, and encouragement of activity within a few hours after surgery, can reduce the risks of infections.