Morbidly obese patients who are candidates for Bariatric Surgery often require additional surgical procedures. These procedures usually include take down of adhesions from previous open surgeries, gallbladder surgery, hiatal hernia repair, abdominal wall hernia and paraesophageal hernia repair. These procedures can make the Laparoscopic Bariatric surgery more complex and more challenging.

According to Dr. Raftopoulos' experience about 40% of Bariatric patients are in need of additional surgical procedures. In his hands laparoscopic completion of the Bariatric surgery and additional procedure is very possible despite the increased challenges. Conversion to open surgery has not been required for more than 3 years.