Remember when I was mulling over weight-loss surgery? Well, a new study by federal researchers has definitely given me pause.

According to officials at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, four of every 10 patients who undergo weight-loss surgery develop complications within six months.

Many of the complications were so serious that patients were readmitted to hospitals or visited emergency rooms within six months, reported the New York Times.

The most common complications included vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal hernias, infections, pneumonia and respiratory failure, as well as the leaking of gastric juices caused by imperfect surgical connections between the stomach and the intestines.

And as complications rose, so did costs. Obesity surgery and six months of care usually averaged aboutt $29,921, according to the study. But add in complications and the bill jumped to an average of $36,542. Another hospitalization pushed the bill past $65,000. Wow!

Well, I've already been through the hernias, infection and pneumonia. No need to do that again, so I guess it's back to the gym for me. Care to join me?

By the way, if you've had surgery, I would love to hear how it went, good or bad. Please feel free to share your story.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com