| Like any other type of elective surgery, gastric | | | | Normally, it is caused eating highly refined foods, |
| bypass surgery comes complete with its own set | | | | like sugars. Proper dietary precautions can prevent |
| of risks. In fact, 10 to 20 percent of gastric | | | | or control this problem. |
| bypass patients require follow-up surgery to | | | | Nutritional Deficiencies - Approximately 30 percent |
| correct a complication of the original weight loss | | | | of gastric bypass patients develop severe |
| surgery, according to the National Institutes of | | | | nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, |
| Health. The following list covers the most serious | | | | osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disorders. Taking |
| risks, and necessary treatments. | | | | the correct combination of dietary supplements |
| Pulmonary Embolism - Patients face a one percent | | | | can prevent these problems. |
| chance of blood clots developing in the legs after | | | | Stomach Ulcers - Ulcers can develop at the top |
| surgery. Several techniques can prevent the | | | | part of the intestine when it is connected to the |
| formation of clots, such as using surgical | | | | new stomach pouch. Traditional ulcer treatments |
| compression stockings that put pressure on the | | | | are used. |
| legs and maintain blood flow in the days following | | | | Hernia - Hernias can develop in any part of the |
| surgery. If clots do form, they may break off | | | | abdominal muscles where there is a weak point |
| and be carried into the lungs, where they can get | | | | that allows a part of the stomach or intestines to |
| caught. Emergency surgery is required. | | | | push through. Surgery can correct this problem. |
| Peritonitis - If a staple or suture used during | | | | Pregnancy - Women should not get pregnant for |
| surgery ruptures and allows stomach fluid to leak | | | | at least two years after surgery to prevent |
| into the abdominal cavity, it can cause a serious | | | | serious post-surgical complications. Women who |
| infection, called peritonitis. Emergency surgery is | | | | later become pregnant must also be careful to |
| required to seal the leak, followed by treatment | | | | take the correct nutritional supplements to |
| with antibiotics to kill the infection. | | | | protect both her and the baby from developing |
| Gallstones - More than one-third of gastric bypass | | | | nutritional deficiencies. |
| surgery patients develop gallstones, which seem | | | | Bowel Obstruction - This problem can result when |
| to be caused by rapid weight loss. If a patient has | | | | scar tissue develops where the stomach was |
| gallstones before the operation, the surgeon will | | | | sewn or stapled to create a smaller pouch. This |
| remove the gall bladder during the gastric bypass | | | | requires immediate emergency medical treatment |
| operation to prevent further difficulties. If there | | | | that may include surgery. |
| are no signs of gall bladder problems, the doctor | | | | With all of the hazards involved, you need to |
| may prescribe medication to minimize the risk | | | | carefully weigh the risks against the benefits of |
| after surgery. | | | | gastric bypass surgery. On the positive side, in |
| Chronic Vomiting - The connection between the | | | | addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery can |
| stomach and the intestines can narrow as a result | | | | dramatically reduce the chance of obesity-related |
| of scar tissue forming. When this occurs, food | | | | heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, as well |
| cannot pass easily through the channel, which | | | | as improve lower back and knee problems. |
| may cause nausea and vomiting after eating. To | | | | Before arranging gastric bypass surgery, discuss |
| correct the problem during follow-up surgery, the | | | | all treatment options with your doctor to |
| doctor will insert a balloon into the opening and | | | | determine the course of action that is right for |
| stretch it. This outpatient procedure has a 90 | | | | you. |
| percent success rate. | | | | This article provides an overview of health issues |
| Dumping Syndrome - This problem occurs when | | | | related to gastric bypass surgery and is not |
| food moves too quickly through the small | | | | intended to replace the advice of a medical |
| intestine and causes nausea, weakness, sweating, | | | | practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to |
| faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. | | | | making any major medical decisions. |