Gastric Bypass Surgery Problems
Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure used on morbidly obese patients to help them lose weight. This surgery is used to decrease the size of the patient's stomach so that it can only hold a small amount of food. According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric bypass surgery is considered the safest form of weight loss surgery and it causes fewer complications that other weight loss surgeries. During the procedure the surgeon will use surgical staples to section off a portion of the patient's stomach making it smaller. Once the surgery is complete the patient's stomach will be able to hold approximately one ounce of food and liquids. However, it is a major surgical procedure and complications can occur including death. All gastric bypass surgery problems will require some type of medical intervention to correct them.
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Nutritional Deficiencies
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Almost 30 percent of patients who have had gastric bypass surgery will develop nutritional deficiencies. The most common nutritional deficiencies include vitamin B12, vitamin B1, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, iron, selenium and calcium. If these deficiencies remain untreated they can lead to further problems such as anemia (condition in which the body is lacking normal red blood cells), metabolic bones diseases (non-specified bone abnormalities) or osteoporosis (brittle, weak and porous bones). Patients who intake adequate amounts of these vitamins and minerals can often avoid this gastric bypass surgery problem. Some patients may also experience dehydration.
Psychological Problems
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Approximately 23 percent of gastric bypass surgery patients develop depression. Depression is considered a long-term problem and often does not present itself immediately following the surgery. Patients who develop depression may experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, sadness, trouble sleeping, weight and appetite changes and loss of interest in the things they enjoy.
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Dumping Syndrome
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Almost 20 percent of all gastric bypass surgery patients experience dumping syndrome. This complication is experienced by patients who eat foods that are high in fat or sugar. Dumping syndrome causes food to move too fast through the patient's small intestine. It often causes nausea and vomiting, sweating, dizziness and diarrhea.
Incision Hernia
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Incision hernias occur in 10 to 20 percent of patients and this complication is considered the most common late gastric bypass surgery complication. This problem is defined as an incision weakness. Most patients who experience this problem will have to have an additional surgery to repair the hernia. This gastric bypass problem is more common in those who have had large incisions in their abdomen.
Blood Clots
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One to 2 percent of patients may experience blood clots as a gastric bypass surgery problem. Blood clots form in the patient's legs and have to potential of causing serious damage if they break free and travel to the lungs lodging themselves in the arteries of the lungs. In some cases, blood clots that lodge in the lungs can cause death. Applying pressure to the legs with pressure stockings and not smoking can help prevent blood clots. Getting up and walking as much as possible after surgery can be beneficial as well.
Leaking
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One to 2 percent of patients who have had gastric bypass surgery will experience leaking. Leaking occurs along one of the staple lines used to make the stomach smaller. Many patients can be treated with antibiotics and time. However, many will require an emergency surgery to repair the leak. If a patient is experiencing leaking they may notice anxiety and left shoulder pain as well as an elevated rate and breathing rate.
Narrowing
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Though rare, some patients will experience a narrowing of the opening that is between the small intestine and stomach. This complication is experienced by less than 1 percent of all gastric bypass surgery patients. Some patients can have this corrected with an outpatient procedure that widens the opening by inserting a tube through the mouth. Others may need an additional surgery to correct this problem.
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