Stomach reduction surgery is a major surgical procedure and like any other, and there are associated gastric bypass risks and potential complications. Some of these risks are inherent with any surgery while some are unique to the stomach reduction. This surgery is undertaken as a last resort, when the usual methods of losing weight have failed. It is not a surgery that should be undergone without being fully aware of the complications that might arise.
Surgery itself has the risk of excessive bleeding, reaction to the anesthesia, human error, post-surgical infection and post-surgical blood clots. However, people who are obese can be at a higher risk for some of these complications. For example, blood clots sometimes develop after surgery because the body is working to clot blood from the operation and the patient remains immobile for long periods, which allows clots to form in the legs. People who are very overweight tend to develop these clots much easier. These clots can be deadly if they break loose and pass into the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
Pneumonia is another condition that sometimes develops after surgery due to limited mobility and decrease in the depth of respirations due to medication. Obese people are typically shallow breathers because of the extra weight that bears down on the chest and this increases the risk of developing pneumonia.
Leaking along the incision or staple lines is another possible complication of stomach reduction surgery. This may be treatable with antibiotics or it may require additional surgery to repair. A rare complication of this surgery is a condition that develops where the opening between the small intestine and stomach becomes very narrow. This could also require follow-up surgery to repair.
Because stomach reduction surgery changes the speed with which food passes through the digestive tract, unique side effects may occur which adds the gastric bypass risks. Dumping syndrome is one of these. This happens when stomach contents move through the small intestines too quickly and causes vomiting, nausea, dizziness, sweating, or diarrhea.
Other nutritional complications may arise such as a vitamin and mineral deficiency, gallstones, dehydration, food intolerance, and low blood sugar. A proper diet must be strictly followed after stomach reduction surgery in order to prevent these side effects and additional gastric bypass risks.
The risks of the surgery will vary according to individual medical history. The general health and age of the patient have an effect. Many obese people have related health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease that makes undergoing surgery and anesthesia even more risky.
Even though stomach reduction surgery carries risks, the risks of not having the surgery may be even greater. An obese person who is unable to lose weight any other way has a high risk of early death from medical complications. Before choosing weight loss surgery, the patient and doctor must carefully weigh the risks of having the surgery against the risks of not having the surgery while considering the many benefits the medical procedure can offer.
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