Bariatric surgery is performed on patients who are seeking a permanent solution for weight loss. As with any form of surgery, there are potential complications to consider before undergoing the procedure. These complications include blood clots, issues with malnutrition and the risk of infection after undergoing bariatric surgery.
The Facts
Bariatric surgery comes in a few different forms. In restrictive surgery, the size of your stomach is reduced so you feel full faster and eat less. In malabsorptive surgery, the surgeon shortens the first portion of your small intestine. You eat the same amount of food, but your body is not able to absorb as many calories. In the combined form of surgery, your surgeon reduces both the size of your stomach of your small intestine. After undergoing bariatric surgery, you are at risk of developing an infection.
Surgery-Related
You risk developing an infection either at the surgical site or internally after bariatric surgery. It can take as long as three weeks after your surgery for the symptoms of a wound infection to show up. Symptoms include swelling and pain at the incision sight, discharge from the site, fever and aches. You could also develop an infection internally, especially if you have undergone restrictive surgery with a Lap Band. Infections can develop around the band or its port.
Panniculitis
You could also develop an infection months after undergoing bariatric surgery. If you lose enough weight you can develop an overhang of excess skin at your abdomen called a pannicula. You can develop panniculitis, a form of skin infection, on the underside of it. Symptoms include inflammation of the skin, tenderness and skin nodules. If you develop panniculitis once, you are at risk for having it reoccur several times.
Treatment
Treatment for infection after bariatric surgery depends on where the infection occurs. If you experience an infection at the incision site, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics. She may also need to drain the site. For an internal infection, antibiotics are the main treatment. Your surgeon may need to adjust your Lap Band, too. Panniculitis is treatable with antibiotics. The most effective treatment for it is to have the excess skin surgically removed.
Considerations
Infections after bariatric surgery can be caused by bacteria that live on your skin, that are inside your digestive tract or that are found in the hospital where your procedure is performed. If you have Type II diabetes, you are at an increased risk for developing an infection, especially during or after surgery. This can be mitigated by paying careful attention to keeping your blood sugar levels under control before surgery. Preoperative antibiotics can help reduce your risk of infection.
