Circle of Care, weight Loss Surgeon, Bariatric Surgeon, Upper GI Surgeon, Obesity Surgeon, Westmead, Bella Vista, Norwest, Sydney, NSW | Circle of Care Program | Smoking and Weight Loss Surgery

Smoking and Weight Loss Surgery

If you smoke, it’s important to understand how it increases your risks during and after weight loss surgery. Smoking affects your lungs, blood flow, and healing — and can make recovery slower and more dangerous.

Staple Line Leaks

  • Sleeve Gastrectomy: 0.5–4%
  • Gastric Bypass: 1–2%
    Smoking increases the chance of leaks from the stapled areas of your stomach or bowel. This can lead to infection, sepsis, long hospital admission or the need for another operation.

Stomach Ulcers and Bleeding

  • Gastric Bypass: 1–11%
    Ulcers can form at the join between your stomach and intestine. Smoking makes these more likely and more severe, sometimes causing serious bleeding or even perforation.

Blood Clots (DVT and Pulmonary Embolism)

  • All bariatric surgeries: ~1% risk
    Smoking makes your blood more likely to clot. A clot in your leg (DVT) or lungs (PE) can be life-threatening.

Wound Infections

  • Sleeve & Bypass: ~10–15%
    Smokers have more wound infections. This is because smoking lowers oxygen to the tissues and slows down healing.

Lung Infections (Pneumonia)

Smoking damages your lungs and weakens your immune system. After surgery, smokers are at higher risk of pneumonia and other chest infections, especially during recovery.

References

  1. Annals of Gastroenterology, 2017 – Staple line leak rates
  2. Springer Obes Surg, 2024 – Marginal ulcer risks
  3. Surg Endosc, 2022 – Gastric bypass ulcer complications
  4. Am J Surg, 2016 – DVT/PE risk and management
  5. Surg Obes Relat Dis, 2018 – Smoking and wound infection