MayoClinic.com states that gastric bypass surgery is the most commonly done weight loss surgery in the United States. Among the many available bariatric, or weight loss, surgery options gastric bypass is generally considered to offer long term and consistent weight loss. It is also known to be safer than many other procedures and generally associated with fewer complications and side effects. However, there are a few complications that can occur following gastric bypass surgery.
Malabsorption and Vitamin Deficiencies
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library states that some gastric bypass procedure cause the ingested food to be poorly digested and thus create a state of malabsorption in which the patient suffers from prolonged diarrhea, flatulence and greasy stools. Also, various types of nutritional deficiencies may occur due to the inadequate intake of nutrients. This is why gastric bypass patients are always advised to follow their doctor-prescribed supplementation program carefully. After gastric bypass surgery, patients may suffer from vitamin D, B12, or C deficiencies. They are also at a risk for developing protein deficiency because of their reduced stomach size and early satiety.
Dumping Syndrome
MayoClinic.com states that dumping syndrome is a possible complication of gastric bypass surgery, especially the procedure called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Dumping syndrome occurs when the contents of the stomach move too rapidly through the digestive tract and cause the patient to experience nausea, abdominal cramping, flushing, faintness, lightheadedness, sweating and diarrhea. These symptoms occur especially after meals containing sugar or a large quantity of refined carbohydrates.
Other Complications
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library lists a few other complications that can occur in the early period following the gastric bypass procedures: gastrointestinal bleeding, hernia at the site of the incision, surgical wound infection, and blood clots in the deep veins of the lower limbs that break loose and travel to the lungs, a process known as pulmonary embolization. Of all the early risks noted, the most deadly is pulmonary embolism. The most common, as reported by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, is the infection of the surgical wound. Early mobilization and preventive administration of a blood thinning medication, heparin, are important to reduce the risk of blood clots and pulmonary embolism.
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