Gastric Sleeve Surgery Risks and Complications

Seriously obese patients who do not respond to non-surgical weight loss methods can greatly benefit from undergoing gastric sleeve surgery.

Gastric sleeve (medically known as sleeve gastrectomy) involves removal of about 85 percent of the stomach in a vertical fashion, leaving a small portion of the stomach that takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. None of the intestines are rerouted in this procedure.

This surgical intervention for weight loss is increasing in popularity with morbidly obese patients, thanks to the development of laparoscopic (minimally invasive) techniques that have made this relatively new surgery a safe and effective procedure.

Gastric sleeve is a relatively safer procedure, but, like with all other major surgical procedures, there are some potentials risks, side effects and complications that may arise after a successful operation.

Potential Complications and Risks

The most common complications following gastric sleeve surgery are infections, pneumonia, bleeding, blood clots, acid reflex and dumping syndrome.

Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and abdominal cramping are some other common problems that can be experienced by gastric sleeve patients post surgery. These discomforts generally are short term and typically resolve once you become acclimated to the changed anatomy of the stomach.

Some serious complications associated with gastric sleeve surgery include:

Stomach stretching that may loosen or separate staples

Risk of leakage at the staple closure site

The improper diet or overeating may lead staples to open causing stomach acid to enter the abdominal cavity

Heavy internal bleeding may occur as the result of the stomach pouch extending

Severe post-surgical wound infection can occur when bacteria enter the body through the surgical cuts and infect the wound and the surrounding tissue

Wound infection may cause damage to intestines or other surrounding organs

Bowel obstruction, deep-vein thrombosis (a blood clot in deep vein) and respiratory problems may occur after the surgery

Another potential complication associated with this type of weight loss surgery is nutritional deficiencies such as low hemoglobin levels (anemia), osteoporosis, loss of muscle tone, and metabolic bone disease.

If you're seriously considering gastric sleeve surgery, it is important to understand the possible risks, complications and side effects associated with the surgery as well as your candidacy for the surgery before deciding to have it.

Sometimes risks and complications may arise several days, weeks or even months after the operation. In order to reduce the risks patients are highly advised to follow their bariatric surgeons' aftercare instruction and recommendations.

Neelam is a freelance writer. She writes for Websites providing information about affordable female surgeries abroad. Obese patients can undergo cost-effective Gastric Sleeve in Cancun , Mexico. Tubal Ligation Reversal in Mexico may be the best option for women who wish to get pregnant again.

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Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks and Complications

Gastric bypass surgery is increasingly becoming a popular bariatic surgery to treat people who are dangerously overweight or morbidly obese in medical terms.

During the two-step gastric bypass surgery, surgeons first divide the stomach into two parts- a small pouch and a larger pouch. For this stomach division, staples or a plastic band is used. This stomach reduction procedure dramatically reduces the amount of food a person can eat at a time.

In the second step, a portion of the small intestine is connected to the smaller pouch to allow the food to bypass the large part of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. This procedure restricts the amount of calories and nutrients the body can absorb.

Gastric bypass can be done through open surgery (by making a large surgical cut in the abdomen) or through laparoscopic surgery (by making several small incisions and using small instruments and a tiny camera to guide the surgery).

As with any bariatric procedure, potential risks and complications can occur with gastric bypass. Listed below are possible gastric bypass risks and concerns:

Risks

One of the most serious gastric bypass surgery risks is a leak from staple lines. Leakage may occur at the site where the new stomach pouch and the small intestine are connected.

Dehiscence, a condition where tissue breaks open along surgical suture - is another serious risk associated with gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass patients are at an increased risk of developing an ulcer following the surgery.

Excessive bleeding may occur during or after the operation.

Gastrostomy problems are a possibility. Patients may experience inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Small bowel obstruction is another serious complication associated with gastric bypass surgery. The rerouting of the small intestine may cause it to become blocked at some point after the surgery. The condition may occur weeks, months or even years after the surgery.

Injury to the nearby organs, the spleen and the liver, is also possible.

Although very rarely, but gastric bypass operation does carry risk of death.

Complications and Concerns

Dumping syndrome is a major complication that can happen to a gastric bypass patient. This condition may occur from eating foods high in fat, refined carbohydrates or sugar. The symptoms may include bloating, vomiting, sweating, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Deficiencies of iron, B12 and potassium may occur. These nutritional deficiencies can be completely avoided by supplementing the diet with a daily dose of multivitamin and calcium.

Leaks in your gastrointestinal system occur when sealed or sutured openings leak digestive contents into the abdomen.

Gallstones, incisional hernia, internal bleeding, wound infection, anastamotic stricture, lung or breathing problems as well as adverse reactions to anesthesia and blood clots are other major concerns of the surgery.

So, before you plunge into a gastric bypass surgery, you must keep this thing in mind that, like all other bariatric surgeries, this weight loss procedure too poses potential complications and health risks. However, your risk level largely depends on your BMI, age, medical history and surgery type. Your surgeon can explain the risks and benefits of your specific weight loss surgery.

Neelam is a freelance writer. She writes for Websites providing information about affordable weight loss surgeries abroad. Obese patients with stubborn body fat can undergo cost-effective Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Mexico . If done by a skilled Weight Loss Surgeon in Cancun , Tijuana or any other popular towns of Mexico, your bariatric procedure can produce life-long results.

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