Cons of a Gastric Bypass

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By Jennifer Dickinson
eHow Contributing Writer

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Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach for those looking to lose a large amount of body weight. There are pros to the surgery for a person's health in addition to the weight loss, but there are also cons resulting from this procedure.

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There are pros but also cons of gastric bypass.

Wound Infections

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Wound infections may occur after surgery.
Post-surgical difficulties may occur from gastric bypass surgery including wound infections. According to Science Daily, some patients require follow up surgery.

Stomach Staple Breakage

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Internal trauma can occur from the breakage of stomach staples.
Another con is stomach staples from the gastric bypass surgery can break. Breakage of the staples may cause internal leakage.

Nutritional Difficulties

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Vitamin deficiency may be a side effect.
Vitamin, mineral and overall nutritional deficiencies can occur. Food misses part of intestines where it is normally absorbed prior to a bypass. Patients will have to take nutritional supplements for the rest of their lives to compensate.

Food Intolerances

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Red meat digestion difficulties may occur.
There may be difficulties digesting different types of food following gastric bypass. The patient may be intolerant of milk, sugar and red meat.

Digestive Difficulties

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Reduced food intake can change bowels.
Bowel habits can change because of reduced food intake, malabsorption and the bypass itself. Liquid stools or bowel obstructions can also result from these factors.

Gallstones

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Gastric bypass can result in gallstones.
Weight loss expert Ann Collins said over one third of patients end up with gallstones.