Gastric Bypass- Top 7 Risks and Complications

Medically Reviewed by Katelyn J. Mock, US-Registered Dietician (R.D.)

According to a study^[1]What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery? – 2012; Andrew Seibert
View in article by WebMD, about 10% of gastric bypass patients face postoperative complications that are usually not severe. There are certain lifestyle changes that one can make to minimize bariatric surgery risks.

1. Abdominal Pain

One of the most common side effects of gastric bypass. More than half of the patients complain of postoperative abdominal pain.

There can be many causes for it, and it’s best to get yourself examined to find out the root cause. Rapid eating, intolerance to certain foods, irritable bowel syndrome, dumping syndrome, and ulcer disease are some of the reasons for abdominal pain.^[2]Greenstein, Alexander J., and Robert W. O’Rourke. “Abdominal Pain Following Gastric Bypass: Suspects & Solutions.” American journal of surgery 6 (2011): 819–827. PMC. Web. 23 July 2018.
View in Article

2. Nutritional Deficiencies

Gastric bypass may result in the deficiency of:

• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• Zinc
• Iron
• Copper
• Calcium
• Vitamin D

This may further result in:

• Osteoporosis (Calcium deficiency)
• Wernicke encephalopathy (Vitamin B1 deficiency)
• Anemia (Iron deficiency)
• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Fatigue

Prevention/Remedy

• Take small meals.
• Choose foods that are dense in nutrients.
• Ensure 60 grams of protein in your diet every day.
• Add Supplements along with your diet.
• Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, and Iron should be taken regularly for protein deficiency.
• Know the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies after gastric bypass.

3. Leakage

Leaking of gastric juices or acids through the staple line or sutures is another problem that may be encountered after a gastric bypass procedure. Gastric leaks may cause harm to nearby organs and tissues.

According to a January 2009 study approved by the ASMBS Executive Council, “gastrointestinal leak after gastric bypass is a known complication with a reported incidence between 1 and 5% in large case series of open and laparoscopic gastric bypass.”^[4]American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s Position Statement on “Prevention and Detection of Gastrointestinal Leak” Published May 2009
View in Article

Prevention/Remedy

• Using the right size of staples.
• Over-sewing, either by hand or by stapling devices.
• Use of biological hemostatic or coagulating agents to prevent or stop leakage.

4. Ulcers/Blood Clots

In rare cases, gastric bypass patients may also experience ulcers in the stomach or the intestinal lining, as well as blood clots in the lungs or legs.

Prevention/Remedy

• Ulcers in the stomach or the small intestine can be cured by antibiotics.
• Blood clots in the lungs or abdomen can be cured by anticoagulant medicines.

5. Gallstones

Gallstones are clumps or chunks of cholesterol and other similar matter that deposit in the gallbladder while or after quick and significant weight loss.

The rate of gallstone formation one year after gastric bypass is reportedly as high as 52.8%.

According to a report by the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, more than one-third of individuals who have had gastric bypass develop gallstones.^[5]“Obesity Surgery” Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic
View in Article

Prevention/Remedy

According to the Cleveland Clinic, bile salt supplements should be taken for 6 months after the surgery to prevent gallstones.

6. Surgical Site Infection

A study conducted among 115 bariatric patients found that the chance of wound infection in the incisions is much less.[6]Elbahrawy A, Bougie A, et al. “Medium to Long-Term Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Older Adults with Super Obesity” Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases: Official Journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery 2018 Apr;14(4):470-476
View in Article
If the procedure has been done laparoscopically, the chance of an infection is even lesser. 9 out of 10 people do not experience any such complications.

7. Bowel Obstruction due to Internal Hernia

One of the most common complications after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery is bowel obstruction due to internal hernia.^[7]De Bakker, J. K. et al. “Gastric Bypass and Abdominal Pain: Think of Petersen Hernia.” JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons 2 (2012): 311–313. PMC. Web.
View in Article

Prevention/Remedy

• Quit smoking
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Avoid straining during urination or bowel movements

A Sprinkle of Weight Loss Motivation to keep you going

References

1. What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery? – 2012; Andrew Seibert
2. Greenstein, Alexander J., and Robert W. O’Rourke. “Abdominal Pain Following Gastric Bypass: Suspects & Solutions.” American journal of surgery 6 (2011): 819–827. PMC. Web. 23 July 2018.
3. Bloomberg RD, Fleishman A, Nalle JE, Herron DM, Kini S. Nutritional deficiencies following bariatric surgery: what have we learned [review] Obes Surg. 2005;15:145-154.
4. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery’s Position Statement on “Prevention and Detection of Gastrointestinal Leak” Published May 2009
5. “Obesity Surgery” Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, Cleveland Clinic
6. Elbahrawy A, Bougie A, et al. “Medium to Long-Term Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery in Older Adults with Super Obesity” Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases: Official Journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery 2018 Apr;14(4):470-476
7. De Bakker, J. K. et al. “Gastric Bypass and Abdominal Pain: Think of Petersen Hernia.” JSLS: Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons 2 (2012): 311–313. PMC. Web.
8. “Prevalence of Self-reported Symptoms After Gastric Bypass Surgery for Obesity” Sigrid Bjerge Gribsholt, MD; Ane Mathilde Pedersen, MD;  Elisabeth Svensson, Ph.D.; et al.; JAMA Network

This Post Addresses

• What qualifies you for gastric bypass surgery?
• Can gastric bypass surgery be fatal?
• What percentage of people regain weight after gastric bypass surgery?
• What are the side effects of gastric bypass surgery?
• What are the long-term results of bariatric surgery?

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Leakage
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