Gastric Bypass’ Downside

Gastric bypass surgeries are the most common bariatric surgical procedures performed, nowadays.  Bariatric surgical procedures is the term used to refer to weight-loss surgeries.   There are more and more people who are choosing to have the procedure to avoid the risks brought by morbid obesity.

There are numerous benefits by getting a gastric bypass surgery.  Those who have undergone the surgery were expected to lose about 50 to 60% of their weight.  Most of the patients would say that they reached the lowest point of their weight two years after their surgery. 

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery could also resolve health issues associated to obesity.  They could improve or lessen the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, arthritis, joint pain, and even heart disease and cancer. 

Those who have undergone gastric bypass surgical procedures are also exposed to risks and complications just like in any other surgery.  When considering getting this kind of weight-loss procedure, it is not only the benefits that you would have to know but also its risks and dangers. 

• Pulmonary Embolism is a condition where blood clots developing in the legs which can get carried off to the lungs.  There are techniques which can be performed to prevent this kind of condition to happen like using surgical compression stockings. 

• Peritonitis is also another condition when stomach fluid leaks into the abdominal cavity or where the intestine is connected.  There is a need to immediately seal the leak before it becomes a serious condition.

• Ulcers can develop among patients, 5 to 15 percent of the time. 

• It could also result to hernia or incision hernia which is a weakness in the incision.  It would often require surgical repair. 

• There are situations when the stomach moves too fast for the small intestine.  This is often referred to as the dumping syndrome.  It is often accompanied with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating.

• Vitamin and mineral deficiency are also possible complications of the surgery like anemia and vitamin D deficiency.

• It could also cause problems in the kidney like kidney stones. 

• Gallstones could also be a result of this operation.

• Stomach ulcers could also develop but this could be managed by the usual treatments used for ulcers.

Women who went through the procedure are recommended to avoid pregnancy for at least two years after the surgery.  Pregnant women are required to take nutritional supplements like vitamins and minerals to get the proper nutrients for her and the baby.

Gastric bypass surgeries are not recommended for everybody.  It is often recommended to those who have a BMI of  40 or those who weigh more than a hundred pounds.  Everybody who would be undergoing the procedure would have to take a mental exam, for those who eat due to emotional problems are likely to fail in losing weight.

Gastric bypass surgeries have 2% of fatalities, one percent due to complications and the other one percent would brought by the failure of the patients to follow the dietary restrictions following the surgery.  Before undergoing the procedure, it is important to understand these consequences and be prepared to change our lifestyle.