Contra-indications to Obesity Surgery

In practice there are remarkably few pre-existing medical or other conditions that would prove to be an absolute contraindication to weight loss surgery.  There are a number of criteria which we would regard as possible or absolute contra-indications and these are set out in the table below.  However, each case is different and the risk of surgery must always be weighed against the potential benefits. 

• You are under 15 or more than 75 years old 

• You have a history of severe heart or lung problems that would increase your risk during anaesthesia

• You have active inflammatory bowel disease (eg. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)*

• You have a history of chronic pancreatitis

• You have cirrhosis of the liver

• You have a pre-existing condition that may cause bleeding in the oesophagus or stomach (eg. esophageal varices)

• You have been/are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs

• You may be pregnant*

• You have an autoimmune diseases, eg scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus

• You are under active treatment for cancer*

• You have a blood disorder that may predispose to excessive bleeding

• You have a history of major psychiatric illness

* absolute contraindication to surgery