Weight loss surgery comes with risks like any other surgical procedure. Other risks that occur after healing are due to alterations of the size and function of the stomach, along with changes in dietary intake. Candidates for gastric bypass or laparoscopic banding have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater and are usually more than 100 pounds overweight. Ideally, health benefits from weight loss are expected to outweigh the risks of the invasive procedure.
Surgical Complications
There are two common types of weight loss surgery. Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling off the lower part of the stomach and connecting the upper part to the small intestine. This procedure has more risks because it requires larger cuts and reconnections with stitches. The other type, gastric banding, is usually done laparascopically, involving just a few cuts in the skin. During the procedure a band or balloon is placed snugly around an area of the stomach like a belt. This method also results in a small pouch with a capacity of just a few ounces.
Risks for any surgery include heart attack or stroke during the operation, infection in the incision or in the lungs and excessive blood loss. Dangers specific to gastric surgery are injury to the stomach or intestines during the procedure. These are more likely with gastric bypass surgery than with laparoscopic banding.
Post-Surgical Complications
After gastric bypass surgery there is the risk of leaking through the staples in the stomach, which may require emergency repair. After gastric band placement, there can be erosion of the band into the stomach, esophageal spasm and inflammation of the esophagus or stomach. With either method rapid weight loss leads to gallstones and gall bladder attacks at a higher rate than in the normal population.
Mechanical Complications
Over time, a patient who underwent weight loss surgery could experience a narrowing of the passage from the stomach to the intestine or breakdown of the pouch, both of which may require surgical repair. Vomiting and/or dumping syndrome are side effects that can happen from the change in the digestive anatomy. After a gastric band or balloon is inserted some patients have nausea or vomiting from eating too much at one time, blockage of the stomach outlet and constipation.
Malabsorption and Malnutrition
Anemia from iron or vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk, because the healthy stomach is normally involved in the absorption of these nutrients. After any gastric weight loss procedure the drastic decrease in food consumed brings danger of inadequate nutritional intake. After months of eating so little, patients sometimes experience symptoms of malnutrition. All patients are prescribed multivitamins and some are prescribed protein supplements as well. Protein malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, hair loss and fatigue. The American Society of Bariatric Surgery lists symptoms to watch for that may indicate nutritional deficiencies, such as poor wound healing, easy bruising, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet or bone pain. Most of these conditions are reversed when the proper vitamin or mineral is replaced.
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