Complete Guide to Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks

Gastric bypass procedures are several types of operations used to treat morbid obesity and the health problems (comorbidities) related to it. While there are numerous health benefits for obese individuals who choose this type of surgery, there are also a number of potential risks and complications associated it, including:

Anastomotic Leakage

This risk occurs in about 2% of gastric bypass procedures. Use of antibiotics or immediate reoperation is needed.

Anastomotic Stricture

There is a risk that the scarring may make the stomach opening so small that even liquids can no longer pass through it. The solution is a procedure called gastroendoscopy which may have to be performed more than once to achieve lasting correction.

Anastomotic Ulcer:

There is a risk of ulceration of the anastomosis. Possible causes of such ulcers are:

• Restricted blood supply to the anastomosis
• Anastomosis tension
• Gastric acid
• Helicobacter pylori
• Smoking
• Use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Dumping Syndrome

This complication causes the patient to feel his/her heart beating rapidly, break into a cold sweat, and have a "sky is falling" type of anxiety, lasting for about 30-45 minutes.

There are also a number of possible complications associated with any type of abdominal surgery, which should also be considered when assessing the risks of gastric bypass surgery. These complications include:

Infection

During an abdominal operation, bacteria might be released from the bowel, leading to infection of the incision of the inside of the abdomen. There is also a risk from other infections like pneumonia, bladder or kidney infections and sepsis. In order to reduce the risks of infections, short-term use of antibiotics, respiratory therapy, and encouragement of activity after the surgery can be applied.

Hemorrhage

Blood vessels must be cut during the surgery and leads to a risk of internal bleeding later on. Blood transfusions or re-operation might be necessary. The use of blood thinners, to prevent venous thromboembolic disease, may increase the risk of hemorrhage slightly.

Hernia

Because of the rearrangement of the bowel, there is the risk of a hernia causing a bowel obstruction. This happens when a surgical incision does not heal well and the muscles of the abdomen separate allowing protrusion of a sac-like membrane containing bowel or other abdominal contents. The risk of abdominal wall hernia is markedly decreased in laparoscopic surgery.

Bowel Obstruction

There is always a risk that the bowel becomes trapped by hernia or the scarring that results from the gastric bypass surgery. This may happen many years after the surgery and another operation is necessary to correct the problem.

Venous Thromboembolism

When the body experiences an injury, such as a bariatric operation, it increases the coagulation of the blood, which leads to increased risk of clots in the veins of the legs, or sometimes the pelvis, particularly in the morbidly obese patient. A pulmonary embolus is when a clot breaks free and floats to the lungs, which carries high risks. To prevent it blood thinners are administered before the operation.

Finally, there are several pre-existing risk factors to consider prior to having gastric bypass surgery. Those are:

• Degree of Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Diabetes Mellitus
• History of Prior Pulmonary Embolism

In closing, it is tremendously important to first consider the possible risks and complications of gastric bypass surgery before launching into this life-changing endeavor.

To learn more about the major risks of gastric bypass surgery, visit "The Complete Guide to Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks", where you'll find comprehensive information on pre-existing risk factors, possible surgery complications, and much more.