Top 10 Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery

• With obesity on the rise various weight loss surgeries such as gastro bypass surgery, bariatric weight loss surgery, laparoscopic weight loss surgery, hysterectomy weight loss surgery, and gastric weight loss surgery are on the rise
• People considering consulting a doctor at a surgical weight loss clinic should have attempted non surgical weight loss techniques first
• There are several risks when having gastric bypass surgery as well as other types of weight loss surgeries. Gastric bypass complications can result in severe health complications and even death
• Below we break down the top 10 risks of gastric weight loss surgeries

1.Death

A new study done by the University of Washington states that post operative death within 30 days of the procedure is around 1 in 50. The rate that is commonly used is 1 in 500 or 1 in 200, but the study showed those figures were coming from the best surgeons. The reason for the varying risks of gastric bypass surgery is mainly due to the experience or lack thereof by the physician. The study showed that the death rate decreased after the physician had performed at least 20 gastric weight loss surgeries.

2.Psychological damage

What some patients seem to forget is that gastro bypass surgery is just the first step in fighting the battle of obesity. Without a lifestyle change there are no weight loss surgeries that can help a patient to achieve lifelong freedom from obesity. Many people see it as a quick fix and are not mentally prepared for the abrupt change in lifestyle that must occur to avoid gastric bypass complications. Many times these people did not put forth their total effort when trying non surgical weight loss methods. This is one of the most dangerous risks of gastric bypass surgery.

3.Nausea and vomiting

The stomach is shrunk to such a small size that it only takes a few ounces of food to be full. The radical difference in portion size before and after the surgery makes it easy to over eat. When this happens the newly shrunken stomach can’t handle it and the patient ends up vomiting.

4.Iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency

About 1/3 of patients become deficient in these nutrients because food bypasses certain areas of the stomach and small intestine where iron is absorbed. Iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common risks associated with gastro bypass surgery and can cause anemia and sever loss of energy.

5.Anemia

About 50% of people who become iron and vitamin B12 deficient end up with anemia. Anemia is when the body does not have enough red blood cells. It causes weakness, fatigue and also shortness of breath.

6.Ulcers

Another of the risks of gastric bypass is the development of ulcers. Ulcers appear in approximately 5%-15% of patients.

7.Cold intolerance

Since the body heats itself by using the food we eat for energy it is easy to see why people who have had weight loss surgeries do not consume much food their ability to stay warm is hindered.

8.Flatulence

Whether the patient has had bariatric weight loss surgery, laparoscopic weight loss surgery or hysterectomy weight loss surgery one of the common side effects is flatulence. These various weight loss surgeries cause the patient to get malabsorptive syndrome which causes serious gas because the body cannot absorb food as well anymore and it gets down into the colon area.

9.Osteoporosis

Calcium is not absorbed as well because the food bypasses the area of the stomach and small intestine where it is usually absorbed.

10.Hernia

Internal hernias can develop and cause painful abdominal issues. Many times these hernias take up to over a year to develop and the patient has to go back into the surgical weight loss clinic for repair.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.