Change Your Life! - UT Medicine Medical-Surgical Weight Loss Center, San Antonio, Texas

What to think about: In a gastric bypass, the part of the intestine where calories as well as many minerals and vitamins are most easily absorbed is bypassed. Because of this, you may have a deficiency in iron, calcium, magnesium, or vitamins. This can lead to long-term problems, such as osteoporosis. To prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies, you may need to work with a dietitian to plan meals, and you may need to take nutritional supplements.

Early studies of the laparoscopic approach to surgery for obesity suggest that it reduces recovery time and postsurgery complications compared with the open surgical approach.

Complications of Bariatric Surgery: As with any surgery, there are immediate and long-term complications and risks. Your healthcare team can speak with you further about the benefits and risks. Possible risks can include, but are not limited to:

Bleeding*

Complications due to anesthesia and medications

Deep vein thrombosis

Dehiscence (separation of areas that are stitched or stapled together)

Infections

Leaks from staple lines

Marginal ulcers

Pulmonary problems

Spleen injury*

Stenosis (narrowing of a passage, such as a valve)

Pulmonary embolism

Failure to lose weight

Excess skin

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Urinary incontinence

Death

*To control operative bleeding, removal of the spleen may be necessary.

According to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery 2004 Consensus Statement, the operative morbidity (complications) associated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the hands of a skilled surgeon is roughly 5 percent and the operative mortality (death) is roughly 0.5 percent.

For Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, the same consensus statement reported that in the hands of skilled surgeons, the operative morbidity is approximately 5 percent and operative mortality is approximately 0.1 percent.

Risks and Possible Side Effects: Risks common to all surgeries for weight loss include an infection in the incision, a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity or where the intestine is connected (resulting in an infection called peritonitis), and a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). About one-third of all people having surgery for obesity develop gallstones or a nutritional deficiency condition such as anemia or osteoporosis.3, 4

Common, temporary effects after any bariatric surgery can include:

Vomiting

Dumping syndrome

Nutritional deficiencies

Gallstones

Need to avoid pregnancy temporarily

Nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, excessive sweating, increased gas, and dizziness

After a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, side effects may include:

An iron and vitamin B12 deficiency occurs more than 30% of the time. About 50% of those with an iron deficiency develop anemia.

The connection between the stomach and the intestines narrows (stomal stenosis) 5% to 15% of the time, leading to nausea and vomiting after eating.

Ulcers develop 5% to 15% of the time.

The staples may pull loose.

Hernia may develop.

The bypassed stomach may enlarge, resulting in hiccups and bloating.

Blood clots