When faced with the physical and emotional challenges of obesity, many people choose to turn to bariatric--or weight loss--surgery. This surgery may seem like a quick fix, however, there are some complications to take into account before deciding if one of these procedures is right for you.
Features of Bariatric Surgery
The most popular form of bariatric surgery in the United States is gastric bypass. Surgeons prefer this form of weight-loss surgery because it's generally considered safer and has fewer complications than the other surgeries. Gastric bypass surgery changes the anatomy of the digestive system and limits the amount of food that can be digested.
Normal Side Effects
After gastric bypass surgery, patients aren't allowed to eat for a few days, and then they slowly build up to liquids and pureed foods. This progression diet usually lasts about 12 weeks. Eating too much or too fast during the first six months after surgery can result in vomiting or pain under the breastbone. Rapid weight loss can cause body aches, headaches and hair thinning and loss.
Short-Term Complications
Patients of bariatric surgery have a greater risk of pneumonia. In addition, about 5 percent of patients will experience venous thrombosis, or blood clots in the leg. Walking a lot reduces this risk. About 5 percent of patients will experience an infection at the site of the incision, and a few may experience a leak at the staple line. Most can be healed with antibiotics and time, but some do require emergency surgery.
Long-Term Complications
Some long-term complications of bariatric surgery include the development of an ulcer where the small intestine connects to the stomach or a hernia or weakness at the incision. This occurs in about 15 percent of patients and may require surgery. In addition, though rare, some patients develop a narrowing of the stoma--or opening of the stomach--and require surgery to repair it. Finally, the most serious complication is non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS). This causes a drop in blood sugar after eating, which can lead to neurological symptoms, such as visual disturbances, confusion and sometimes seizures.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Because eating habits change after bariatric surgery, some patients may experience some nutritional deficiencies. Follow-up care with your health care provider can help pinpoint these deficiencies. For example, some patients may experience anemia due to iron or B12 deficiency.
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