Obviously, we all know that all surgeries carry risks. The same is the case with bariatric weight loss surgery. It also has certain short-term and long-term complications:-
Some immediate consequences of bariatric surgery involve:
- Acid reflux
- Anesthesia-related risks
- Chronic nausea and vomiting
- Dilation of esophagus
- Inability to eat certain foods
- Risk of infection
- Obstruction of stomach
- Weight gain or failure to lose weight
Some long-term risks of Bariatric surgery include:
- Nausea or Diarrhea often termed as dumping syndrome
- Constant levels of low blood sugar
- Malnutrition or undernourishment due to the smaller size of the stomach
- Vomiting
- Ulcers
- Bowel obstruction
- Hernias
Conversely, complications and side effectsdiffer by the technique used for performing bariatric surgery and from person to person. The following are the risks of gastric bypass and gastric sleeve as observed by surgeons performing laparoscopic gastric bypass in Delhi. Though, your bariatric surgeon will list out all the risks and side effects of the surgery you are going to undertake.
The most commonly preferred surgery is Gastric bypass. It aids in reducing weight by limiting the amount of food intake or by reducing the absorption of nutrients. It basically makes changes in your digestive system by reducing the size of your stomach. Moreover, Gastric bypass surgery has lower complications as compared with other techniques of bariatric surgery. It is essentially beneficial in case you have excessive weight i.e. in case of morbidly obese patients whose BMI is greater than 40 or in case you have a BMI greater than 35 with other serious health problems such as high blood pressure, or Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, it has some major benefits as it helps in curing – Heart diseases, high blood pressure, Severe sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, Stroke.
First talking about the risks of Gastric Bypass:
- Breakage
- Dumping syndrome
- Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
substantial weight loss) - Hernia
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
surgical wound - Leakage
- Perforation of stomach or intestines
- Pouch obstruction or bowel obstruction
- Protein or calorie malnutrition
- Pulmonary and/or cardiac problems
- Skin separation or dry skin
- Experiencing fatigue
- Stomach or intestine ulceration
- Stricture
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
Sleeve gastrectomy is a naïve procedure and is used quite commonly. It is also referred to as vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure is performed using laparoscopy which means inserting a small camera by making multiple small incisions in the upper abdomen. In this procedure, around 80 percent of the stomach is eliminated, and hence, only a pouch-shaped or banana-shaped stomach with the same size of banana is left. Reducing the size of your stomach obviously results in minimizing the amount of food intake. Moreover, this procedure also prompts hormonal changes that aids with weight loss. Sleeve gastrectomy further helps you from protecting major life-threatening as well obesity-related health problems, such as- Gastroesophageal reflux, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and infertility.
Risks of Gastric Sleeve:
- Blood clots
- Gallstones (risk increases with rapid or
substantial weight loss) - Hernia
- Internal bleeding or profuse bleeding of the
surgical wound - Leakage
- Perforation of stomach or intestines
- Skin separation
- Stricture
- Vitamin or iron deficiency
Doctors performing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in Delhi recommend that by incorporating a few things in your day-to-day life that can diminish the risks associated with bariatric surgery:
- Reducing your Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Increasing your amount of exercise or following a strict exercise regime especially inculcating the habit of walking.
- Completely eliminating smoking.
