Gastric Bypass Surgery (cont.)
Are There Risks Associated With Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Yes. People who undergo this procedure are at risk for:
- Pouch stretching (stomach gets bigger overtime, stretching back to its
normal size before surgery).
- Band erosion (the band closing off part of the stomach disintegrates).
- Breakdown of staple lines (band and staples fall apart, reversing
procedure).
- Leakage of stomach contents into the abdomen (this is dangerous because the
acid can eat away other organs).
- Nutritional deficiencies causing health problems.
Gastric bypass operations also may cause "dumping
syndrome," whereby stomach contents move too rapidly through the small
intestine. Symptoms include nausea,
weakness, sweating, faintness, and, occasionally, diarrhea after eating, as well
as the inability to eat sweets without becoming extremely weak. Gallstones can occur in
response to rapid weight loss. They can be
dissolved with medication taken after the surgery.
What Health Problems Can Nutritional Deficiencies Cause?
The limited absorption of vitamin B-12 and iron can cause anemia. The lack of calcium
absorption can cause osteoporosis and
metabolic bone disease. People who undergo this procedure are required to take
nutritional supplements that usually
prevent these deficiencies.
The more extensive the bypass operation, the greater is the
risk for complications and nutritional deficiencies. People who undergo
extensive bypasses of the normal digestive process require not only close
monitoring, but also lifelong use of special foods and medications.
Reviewed by the Department of Nutrition Therapy at The Cleveland Clinic and the Department of Internal Medicine (2005).
Edited by Charlotte Grayson, MD, WebMD,
Oct. 1, 2005.
Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005
Last Editorial Review: 4/10/2008
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