OCC

Authority

Risks vs Benefits

Metabolic and bariatric surgery is associated with both meaningful potential benefits and real risks. A well-informed decision requires considering both, in the context of an individual's medical history and goals.

Written by MagnaMetabolic Editorial Team Medically reviewed by Ariel Ortiz, MD — Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Last reviewed: June 7, 2026

Potential benefits reported in the literature

  • Significant weight loss in many patients.
  • Improvements in Type 2 Diabetes, with remission reported in a proportion of patients.
  • Improvements in blood pressure, lipid profile, MASLD/MASH markers, and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Improvements in mobility, quality of life, and certain obesity-related health risks.

Known risks

  • Surgical and anesthetic complications including bleeding, infection, and venous thromboembolism.
  • Anastomotic stricture, obstruction, leak, or need for reoperation.
  • Nutritional deficiencies requiring ongoing supplementation and monitoring.
  • Weight regain or insufficient weight loss in some patients.
  • Recurrence of diabetes or other metabolic conditions over time.

Results vary among individuals and no procedure guarantees a specific outcome. See Safety & Risks for more detail.

Evidence

Scientific References

Selected primary sources informing this page. External links open in a new tab; we do not control or endorse third-party content.

  1. ASMBSAmerican Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and IFSO 2022 indications for metabolic and bariatric surgery.
  2. ADAAmerican Diabetes Association — Standards of Care in Diabetes (current edition), Section on obesity and metabolic surgery.
  3. Obesity SurgeryGagner M, et al. First-in-human experience of magnetic duodeno-ileostomy for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disease. Obesity Surgery.
  4. Surgical EndoscopyMulti-center early outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy combined with magnetic duodeno-ileostomy (Sleeve Plus MagDI). Surgical Endoscopy.
  5. SOARDMagnetic duodeno-ileal anastomosis after previous sleeve gastrectomy for weight regain, insufficient weight loss, or diabetes recurrence. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (SOARD).
Book Consultation