Gastric Bypass Complications

The mortality rate after gastric bypass is 0.18% or about 1 out of 350 people (1/350). The mortality rate for gastric bypass is similar to the mortality rate for other major general surgical procedures done on a group of patients who are obese and have multiple health problems. Risk of dying from any procedure depends on the general health, age, and weight of the individual. Clearly people who are older, have more severe medical problems, and are heavier are much higher risk than younger, healthier, less obese counterparts. The most common causes of death after gastric bypass include pulmonary embolism and infection secondary to staple line or suture line leaks.