What Are the Dangers of Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass is a form of bariatric weight loss surgery where a large part of the stomach is separated and the intestines are rerouted to attach to the remaining small part of the stomach. The new stomach is a pouch just large enough to hold several grapes or nuts. This surgery causes rapid weight loss and helps prevent and resolve obesity-related diseases like heart disease and type two diabetes. The procedure has proven to be successful at saving the lives for some patients, and allowing them to live longer and happier lives. However, like any major surgery, there are plenty of risks involved. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of this surgery would outweigh the risks.
Death
The most major risk of any type of surgery is death. The risk of death from gastric bypass surgery complications is one in 200 or 300 people. The risk of death is much higher in individuals who are initially less healthy when going into surgery. This can include factors like age and heart disease. Also, doctors who are less experienced at performing the surgery pose a greater risk for patient death. Heart attack and stroke are often the cause of death that happens during the surgery. Sometimes, the damage that obesity-related diseases have already had on the body, like heart disease, make the surgery too stressful for a patient.
Pulmonary Embolism
Overweight people have a heightened risk of developing a blood clot in their legs. If the blood clot travels to the lungs, this can cause pulmonary embolism. This damages the lung tissue and sometimes results in death. In order to lessen the risk of blood clots, patients are encouraged to get up and walking as soon as possible. Sometimes their legs will be pressure bandaged during the initial few days of bed rest. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, so patients are asked to quit smoking before undergoing the surgery.
Leakage and Infection
Sometimes leakage can occur at the stapling sites. Usually it can be treated with antibiotics and will heal on its own. Sometimes the leakage can be severe and waste can seep into other parts of the body. This can lead to infection and requires emergency surgery to repair. Exposing the inside of the body to the operating room environment, medical staff and surgical instrument poses a risk for bacteria entering the body. This risk is decreased by undergoing a laparoscopic procedure. Gastric bypass can be done laparoscopically in many situations, and many doctors prefer this option because it is less invasive.
Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome is a common risk associated with gastric bypass surgery. It happens when the patient overindulges in foods that often cause complications like high fat and sugary foods. The food passes through the intestines too quickly and causes nausea, dizziness and diarrhea.
Vitamin Deficiency
It is important to make sure you are getting the adequate amount of vitamins and nutrients from the post-surgery diet. Many people find it difficult to get enough of these nutrients from the small amount of food that they are able to eat. The doctor will recommend a daily vitamin supplement regimen to avoid this problem.
Hernia
It is possible to develop a hernia at the surgery site. This happens when the incision area becomes weak. This condition requires surgery to repair it.
Mood Changes
Such a major surgery and a rapid weight loss can often result in some mental distress. The person has to deal with the pain and long recovery from surgery along with a constantly changing body image. Complications and unmet expectations can frequently cause depression and anxiety in many patients.
