Gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery involving creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created pouch directly to the small intestine. After the surgery, swallowed food will go into this small pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine, thereby bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine. As one of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgeries, gastric bypass is the last recourse when diet and exercise haven’t worked or the patient has serious problems due to weight.
Why is Gastric Bypass performed?
Gastric bypass is usually the last resource and helps patients lose excess weight to reduce risks of potentially life-threatening weight-related health issues such as:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Heart disease
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obstructive sleep apnea
Type 2 diabetes
Stroke
Cancer
Infertility
Who’s a candidate for Gastric Bypass surgery?
In general, gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries could be an option for you if:
Your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity).
Your BMI is 35 to 39.9 (obesity), and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea. In some cases, you may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related health problems.
Although there are certain medical guidelines patients will need to qualify for, before undergoing a gastric bypass surgery. You must also be willing to make permanent changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. You may be required to participate in long-term follow-up plans that include monitoring your nutrition, your lifestyle and behavior, and your medical conditions.
What are the risks & side effects of Gastric Bypass surgery?
There are several possible side effects associated with gastric bypass surgery. Some of these risks are serious, so make sure to speak to your surgeon before undergoing surgery. These side effects include:
Blood clots
Patients are required to use a special leg stocking or blood-thinning medicine, but sometimes blood clots occur. Common places to get blood clots are in the lower leg (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism). Symptoms can include:
Your lower leg becomes painful, achy, and tender
Swelling, redness, or warmth in your lower leg
A sharp, stabbing chest pain that may be worse when breathing in
Shortness of breath or a cough
Feeling faint or dizzy
Wound infection
Your wounds from surgery may become infected while they're healing. Signs of a wound infection can include:
Pain in or around the wound
Red, hot, and swollen skin
Pus coming from the wound
Gastric band slipping out of place
If you have gastric band surgery, there's a small risk that the band could move out of position. This can cause:
Heartburn
Feeling sick
Vomiting
Leak in the gut
It’s possible during the days or weeks after a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, that food could leak out into your tummy. Which can cause serious infection in your tummy. Symptoms of a leak can include:
A high temperature
A fast heartbeat
Tummy pain
Chills and shivering
Fast breathing
Blocked gut
In some cases, the stomach or small intestine may become narrower or blocked after weight loss surgery. It could be a side effect of the surgery, such as scarring and reduced blood flow to the area. Causing several complications, including food getting stuck and your gut becoming kinked or twisted. Cutting food into small chunks, chewing thoroughly, and not drinking during meals can help reduce the risk of a blockage. Contact your surgeon if you experience any of these symptoms:
Difficulty swallowing
You keep being sick (vomiting)
Tummy pain
Not needing to poo as often as usual
Vitamin mineral deficiencies
Weight loss surgery can make it harder for your gut to absorb vitamins and minerals from food, so there's a risk you could become malnourished. This might not always be obvious, but possible symptoms can include:
Feeling tired or lacking energy all the time
Shortness of breath
Noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
Pale skin
Pins and needles
Feeling weak
Having a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of malnutrition, but most people need to take extra nutritional supplements for life after surgery.
Excess skin
As you lose weight after surgery, you may be left with excess folds and rolls of skin, particularly around your breasts, tummy, hips, and limbs. Surgery, such as a tummy tuck, can be used to remove the excess skin.
Hiatus hernia
In case a part of the stomach slips up through the diaphragm into the chest, a hiatus hernia has occurred. As this is common among obese patients, your surgeon has probably repaired your hiatus hernia during the gastric bypass surgery with simple sutures to the hiatus.
Diarrhea or constipation
Diarrhea is unusual following laparoscopic gastric bypass, while constipation is common after bariatric surgery, as patients tend not to drink enough liquid. As your liquid and fiber intake improves your tendency to constipation will settle. If necessary, a gentle laxative can be taken.
Risk of dying
Gastric bypass is a major weight loss operation, and although rare, the risk of dying as a result of complications during the procedure should be taken into consideration.
Conclusion
Gastric Bypass Surgery, a type of weight-loss surgery, has been proven effective for many patients struggling with obesity. However, like all surgical procedures, it comes with potential side effects. These can range from common issues such as dumping syndrome, dehydration, and dental problems, to more serious complications like gallstones, kidney stones, and hair loss. Some patients may also experience difficulty swallowing, indigestion, and intolerance to certain foods. While these side effects can be largely avoidable with the right diet and lifestyle habits, they can lead to more serious complications if not addressed. Therefore, it’s crucial for patients to be fully informed about these potential side effects and to work closely with their healthcare providers to manage and mitigate these risks.
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