About 80% of people needing weight loss surgery undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. I have already discussed how this type of surgery is done in my previous posts. But for those of you who are still in the planning stage, I would like to focus on the most common complications. At least know what you are getting yourselves into and prepare for the worst.
While gastric bypass surgery does improve your health and bring you a marvelous life, it can also demand a huge part of your well being. This is exactly the reason why it takes months of preparation before you go under the knife.
Here’s the good news though: About 10% to 20% of gastric bypass surgery patients experience minor complications. Only 1% to 5% experience life threatening ones especially if the patient also suffers from high blood pressure. It means that if you follow your surgical team’s strict advice, you will be 100% safe into full recovery.
But, let’s face the fact that sometimes, bad things can happen whether you took all precautions or not. It is better to always be prepared. Learn all the things you need to know about gastric bypass surgery maintenance procedures.
Minor complications include:
- Wound infections
- Bleeding
- Ulcer
- Dumping syndrome
Major complications include
- Pulmonary embolism or blood clot
- Surgical leaks or sutures
- Serious internal hemorrhage Heart conditions leading to heart attack or stroke
- Gallbladder inflammation or gallstones
- Stomal stenosis (food blocking the tube that connects pouch to small intestine)
People who neglect to take their vitamins daily may also suffer from nutritional deficiencies. This may lead to osteoporosis, anemia, or metabolic bone disease. Around 48% of gastric bypass surgery patients also suffer from calcium deficiency. The slight and often short-term balding though is normal because of the vitamin intake.
Some of these weight loss surgery complications are preventable while others are inevitable. The dumping syndrome for example is almost becomes a general symptom. Taking place often a few days or weeks after the operation, this is the result of food moving fast into the small intestine.
Dumping syndrome often comes with abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea.
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Other Gastric Bypass Surgery Complications
We can also consider excess skin as among the serious complications of weight loss surgery. The skin has lost its elasticity and will not revert to its firmness after weight loss. Negligence may lead to skin infections between the folds. This is why patients may need to undergo cosmetic surgery.
I followed all my surgeon’s advice before, during, and after the operation. It helped a lot that I calculated and pureed my meals during the first four weeks. I took my vitamins religiously as well.
Still, I had an uncalled for encounter with dumping syndrome a few weeks after the surgery.
If you will ever get into some surgery-related trouble, you should be able to contact your doctor. I am not trying to change your decision. In fact, I support you every step of the way, which is why I enumerated all the possible disasters in store. But any of these can only happen if you or your surgeon cares less enough.
Again, heed your doctor’s advice and you will be safe. In case you feel anything odd, call the clinic immediately. They should be available to tend to your post-surgery needs. I am hoping you stay well at all times but just in case, always be prepared for gastric bypass surgery complications.