Gastric Bypass Complications

The Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery

What are the risks and possible gastric bypass complications that may occur after gastric bypass surgery?

Between the two types of stomach surgery for weight loss - lap band surgery (or stomach banding) and gastric bypass, it's estimated that approximately 12 - 15 percent of people have something that will go wrong.

Any type of stomach surgery for weight loss has risks and it’s often an unexpected medical event that occurs after surgery.

Early gastric bypass complications usually happen within the first two months after the surgery.

Approximately 5 percent of patients have significant complications that will require immediate attention, and about 10 percent of the patients may have a minor complication that will require attention.

Some of these are rare and some are more common. Among them are:

• a staple line link
• cardiac irregularity
• gastrostomy problems
• a major incision infection
• incision opening
• pneumonia
• stroke
• transfusion problems
• anaesthesia problems
• blood clots that go to the lungs
• heart attack
• incision infection
• kidney failure
• potassium deficiency
• thrombophlebitis (inflammation of a vein with the formation of a blood clot)
• internal bleeding
• surgery that has to be performed to remove excess skin
• gastritis and anaemia caused by vitamin B12 or iron deficiencies.
• follow-up surgeries that may have to be performed in order to correct any gastric bypass complications

One of the side effects that is common but is the least dangerous is called the “dumping syndrome”.

What exactly is this?

After surgery, some may not be able to tolerate certain foods that are high in sugar or fat. If a person eats these foods, she will experience the "dumping syndrome".

The symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, a bloated feeling, diarrhea and dizziness and sweating. You can easily avoid these symptoms if you follow the advice of your dietitian.

You have to really understand that having gastric bypass surgery requires a change in your eating habits and very often your lifestyle.

The most severe of the gastric bypass complications is death. This occurs in approximately 1 out of 350 people.

The most common causes of death are infection that is secondary to the suture or staple line leaks, respiratory problems and pulmonary problems.

On the other side of the coin, weight loss by surgery has given some people a whole new lease on life.

Needless to say, every effort is made by the surgeon to prevent any foreseeable problems, but you also must take into consideration the magnitude of this type of surgery and the fact that many of the patients may already have medical problems brought on by chronic obesity.

No doubt, complications can and do occur on occasion.

Be sure to speak to your doctor and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

There are also a few useful links below that can help.

Become well informed and understand the possible problems and the risks of any type of stomach surgery for weight loss beforehand.

Liposuctione and Liposuction Costs

Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery – Is it for You?

Bariatric Surgery Support Group and Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Resources

Return to Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery


Return to Belly Fat Blues Home from Gastric Bypass Complications


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