17 Gastric Bypass Complications To Avoid

For some people who suffer from morbid obesity, their only solution is to undergo a gastric bypass. Complications, as with any other surgical procedure, could always come up some time after. After all, a gastric bypass is a major surgery. The risks and complications are most often caused by health-related problems caused by the obesity and carelessness in following post-surgery care.

For long-time sufferers who finally have gathered the courage to acknowledge that the problem exists, the benefits of a gastric bypass outweigh the risks of the surgical procedure. The risks and complications are real. It is best that a person considering a gastric bypass should educate themselves with the facts of the procedure and realities of the risks involved.

Below are possible gastric bypass complications that patients need to be concerned about, either directly or indirectly, resulting from the surgery:

- Death
- Pulmonary embolism
- Gastrointestinal tract leak
- Bowel obstruction
- Stricture (the abnormal narrowing of a hollow organ such as the intestine or blood vessel)
- Bleeding
- Ulcers
- Gallstones
- Infections
- Deficiency in proteins, vitamins and minerals
- Too much weight loss - chronic symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Body image - emotional loss - depression
- Nerve problems
- Low blood sugars (hypoglycemia)
- Kidney failure
- Kidney stones
- Complications from anesthesia

In an effort to eliminate or at the very least reduce gastric bypass complications, people with a higher BMI (body mass index) are actually put on a strict weight-loss regimen prior to the surgery to reduce the amount of fat surrounding the abdomen. The risks of the surgery are often the result of the patient's obesity-related health problems. Patients who use contraceptives or are on hormone replacement therapy are often advised to stop three weeks before the procedure.

It cannot be stressed enough to quit smoking at least three weeks before the surgery according to some physicians. Studies have also shown that quitting smoking hastens healing. It must be remembered that post-surgery care is equally important as pre-surgery preparation. If common sense is used to follow all instructions after surgery, the likelihood of reducing gastric bypass complications is high.

By: Mark Sierra

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Once someone has been diagnosed with obesity, they realize the long and difficult road ahead of them. Fortunately, there are many solutions available and resources to understand things like what a bariatric diet can do for them. Be sure to check out Defeating Obesity for additional Free information.