What are the risks of a biliopancreatic diversion?

Risks common to all surgeries for weight loss include an infection in the incision, a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity or where the intestine is connected (resulting in an infection called peritonitis), and a blood clot in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) or lung (pulmonary embolism). Some people develop gallstones or a nutritional deficiency condition such as anemia or osteoporosis.

Biliopancreatic diversion surgery has short-term and long-term risks, including:

• Dumping syndrome. This causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. These symptoms get worse if you eat highly refined, high-calorie foods (like sweets). Sometimes you may become so weak that you have to lie down until the symptoms pass.
• A higher risk of osteoporosis. This happens because your body can't absorb nutrients as well as it used to.
• Bad smelling stools and diarrhea. This can occur because of poor absorption of protein, fat, calcium, iron and vitamins B12, A, D, E and K.
• Poor nutrition. Eating less and less absorption may mean that you are not getting enough nutrients, which can cause health problems. You will have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of your life.