Handling Complications

Meet Dr. Joshua Long:
Our Bariatric Surgeon

A nationally renowned and double-board-certified Denver bariatric surgeon, Dr. Long uses a partnership care model with each patient to tailor care to their individual needs. Patients routinely thank Dr. Long for his warm, compassionate bedside manner. He’s considered to be at the top of his field, having performed over 1,000 bariatric surgeries. Peers praise his technical skill, and he has some of the lowest complication rates among bariatric surgeons in the nation. Dr. Long and the staff at the Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado consider it an honor to serve every patient with the highest quality of care.

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Dr. Joshua Long headshot

Dr. Joshua Long

MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS

What Are Possible Bariatric Surgery Complications?

Some potential bariatric surgery complications that can occur after any abdominal operation (including but not unique to bariatric surgery) may include:

At the BMCC we have specifically designed effective protocols and clinical pathways to prevent these complications*.

Other possible complications and considerations that are more specific to bariatric surgery may include:

Special considerations for each surgical option:

Surgical OptionSpecial considerationsUnique Planned Responses
LAP-BAND® Complications-Internationally high removal rate (25-40% in first 5 years alone)-Not a good surgical option for most patients
Gastric Sleeve Complications-Increased reflux/heartburn-Careful patient selection based on reflux severity
-Hiatal Hernias are repaired at the time of surgery
-Antacids are used when needed
Gastric Bypass Complications-Slightly higher ulcer risk
-Dumping syndrome
-Nutrient deficiencies
-Eliminate ulcer-causing substances; use antacids
-Avoid sugar-containing foods
-Specific vitamin/protein protocol and testing
Loop Duodenal Switch (SADI-S) Complications-Increased reflux (similar to sleeve)
-Nutrient deficiencies
-Loose or fatty stools (about 2 stools per day)
-Hiatal hernia repair, and antacids when indicated
-Specific vitamin/protein protocol and testing
-Avoid fatty foods

Dr. Long and your team at the BMCC are perfectionists who meticulously craft the details of your care before, during, and after surgery. Careful planning has yielded excellent results in our patients and minimizes your chances of experiencing the complications listed above*. However, most patients should realistically expect some excess skin after surgery.

How Often Do Bariatric Surgery Complications Happen?

Although bariatric surgery is more complex than minor abdominal operations, the good news is that in the right hands your surgery doesn’t need to carry significant additional risk of major complications*. It is very important that you choose a center that is fully accredited as a comprehensive MBSAQIP center, that you choose a very careful bariatric surgeon, and that you choose a practice with a comprehensive care team in place.

Dr. Long’s experience and careful planning have established his practice as an industry leader in bariatric surgery. The BMCC is a comprehensive MBSAQIP center that contributes several “best practices” to the national level and is recognized as a leader in bariatric surgical quality outcomes. As a result, our patients have done exceptionally well and lead the nation by achieving very low complication rates with superior weight loss*.

How Does the BMCC Handle Bariatric Surgery Complications?

At the BMCC, Dr. Long believes in handling bariatric surgery complications before they happen. Because of this, both Dr. Long and your team at the BMCC have developed extensive protocols (and education) before, during, and after surgery to prevent most complications*. He has also built models that identify additional risk differences in patients. The entire team works very hard to get to know each patient and understand how each individual patient factor may contribute to risk. With this clear understanding, additional safety planning ensures the lowest possible risk*.

Dr. Long is very transparent about how any additional health problems may translate into increased risk and what further steps will be needed to minimize this risk.  While careful planning, technical expertise, and thoughtful care can reduce your risk below national averages, it is also important to note that there is never zero risk with any operation. If rare complications were to arise, Dr. Long and the BMCC do an exceptional job of early recognition and aggressive management to minimize the impact and further optimize good outcomes*.

What Is Dumping Syndrome?

Dumping syndrome is a gastric bypass complication because it occurs when the stomach’s emptying valve has been bypassed. This means that foods rich in sugar or in carbohydrates (and very rarely deep fried/fatty foods) pass rapidly into the intestines before they are ready to receive this load. These sugary foods then draw a large amount of water into the intestines very rapidly, producing some or all of the following symptoms:

The good news is that for almost every patient, dumping syndrome is easy to control by avoiding the foods that cause it, avoiding liquids around the time of meals, and ensuring adequate fiber with meals. In fact, this is what every bypass patient should be doing anyway. In a very strange way, dumping syndrome can serve as a reminder to reinforce behaviors that will lead to better and more sustained weight loss as well as better long-term health*.

Dr. Joshua Long headshot

This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joshua Long, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS. Dr. Long is a double-board-certified bariatric surgeon and bariatric medical director for Parker Adventist Hospital.
Full Bio: Dr. Joshua Long, MD, MBA, FACS, FASMBS
Page Updated: February 25th, 2020

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*Please note that individual results can vary and are not guaranteed.