Gastric Bypass Complications

Gastric Bypass Complications

Any type of surgical procedure comes with risks, some have higher risks than others.  When it comes to gastric bypass problems the risks aren't only associated with the surgery but with the lifestyle after the surgery as well. In order for you to have a successful outcome it's very important that you fully understand, and follow, your doctors post op advice when it comes to the type and amount of food you can eat.

For most people the potential health benefits far outweigh the risks.  Everyone knows that to be overweight is to invite a myriad of health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.  For people who are hundreds of pounds overweight the sheer act of moving at all can be close to impossible which will make weight loss next to impossible without some medical intervention.

Here is a list of some of the most common surgery complications:

1. Death

2. Anesthetic complications

3. Infection

4.  Leaks where the incisions are located.

5.  Bleeding post surgery.

6.  Blood clots.

7.  Kidney failure.

Because many of these risk factors are exacerbated by having too much fat on your body, your doctor may require you to lose weight prior to the procedure.  It's important that you understand that this type of surgery isn't an easy way out.  You will need to be strict with yourself both before and after the surgery.  You will set yourself up for failure if you go into this with the idea that this is some sort of quick fix, or easy solution.  You will still need to watch what you eat and get plenty of exercise, just like everyone needs to do if they want to lose weight.

Another thing that you should consider is that due to the bypassing of part of your stomach and small intestine, your body will have more difficulty absorbing nutrients.  For this reason you will need to take a vitamin supplement.  Most often your doctor will recommend iron, calcium, protein, and B-12 to name a few. These are the vitamins and minerals that won't be as readily absorbed by your body after your surgery.

Another common side effect of the surgery is depression.  Up to 23% of the people who undergo the surgery report feelings of depression post surgery.  This is commonly thought to occur because many people blame all the problems in their life on the fact that they are overweight and they subconsciously expect their life to be wonderful after the surgery.  When they realize that they have many of the same problems after the surgery as they did before the surgery they can get depressed.  That's why it's so important for anyone contemplating the surgery to make sure they have realistic expectations about what the surgery can, and cannot, do for their lives.

For many people who are morbidly obese, a gastric bypass can literally mean the difference between life and death.  Even so, it isn't something that should be entered into lightly.  Much thought and care needs to go into your decision to undergo this procedure.  It's also important that you carefully consider all the possible gastric bypass problems both during and after the surgery that you may encounter so that you can be prepared for them when, and if, they occur.