Gastric surgery is the most common type of bariatric surgery performed in the United States, according to the MayoClinic.com. The purpose of a bariatric surgery is to limit the amount of food the stomach can hold, therefore decreasing weight and lowering many of the risks associated with obesity. Gastric surgery is usually successful when accompanied by regular exercise and a healthy diet. This type of surgery is generally safe, but serious complications can arise during or immediately following the procedure.
Leaking
A severe complication of gastric surgery is leaking around the staple sites in the bowel and stomach. Leaking occurs as the staples open and intestinal fluids seep into the abdominal cavity causing severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, heart palpitations and intense abdominal pain. Approximately 1 percent of people who have gastric surgery experience leaking, according to Pennsylvania's West Penn Allegheny Health System Bariatric Surgery Center. Most of the time the leak is treated with antibiotics, but in some cases emergency surgery may be required to stop the leak.
Bowel Obstruction
A complication that can occur following gastric surgery is bowel obstruction, notes the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery. Bowel obstructions occur when scar tissue forms in the abdomen, blocking the bowel from functioning properly. Most of the time bowel obstructions appear immediately after surgery, but they can arise months to years after the surgery. Approximately 2 to 4 percent of people experience bowel obstruction following gastric surgery, says Pennsylvania's West Penn Allegheny Health System Bariatric Surgery Center. Bowel obstruction symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting. Treatment usually consists of emergency surgery.
Blood Clots
People who have gastric surgery are at risk for developing blood clots in the legs and lungs. Blood clots form when blood pools in the large veins in the legs as a result of immobility during the surgery or while recovering following the surgery, says the Obesity Surgery Centers. Surgeons typically try to prevent blood clots by administering blood-thinning shots before and after surgery and using compression stockings to keep the blood flowing in the legs, but those methods do not eliminate all of the risks for developing blood clots.
References
- West Penn Allegheny Health System Bariatric Surgery Center: Risks and Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery
- MayoClinic.com: Gastric Bypass Surgery
- National Association for Weight Loss Surgery: Bowel Obstruction--Common yet Dangerous
- Obesity Surgery Centers: Gastric Bypass--Frequently Asked Questions
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery
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