The Benefits and Costs of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Longer Term Risk Factors

Not all risk factors happen right away during or immediately after surgery. In some cases, a person may develop certain complications while recovering. This is why it’s important for patients to be vigilant and maestro their symptoms after surgery.

Stanford Health Care says some additional risk factors of gastric bypass include:

• Malnutrition from vitamin deficiency.
• Tightening and narrowing of the new opening between the stomach and intestine (known as stomal stenosis).
• Dumping syndrome, where solid parts of meals get directly dumped from the stomach into the small intestine without being properly digested.

Anastomotic Leaking

Another possible risk autor associated with gastric bypass is anastomotic leaking. Anastomosis is a new connection created in the intestines and stomach during surgery that will not completely heal and leak. After surgery, digestive juices and partially digested foods may leak.

Hopkins Medicine says this occurs in about 1.5 to 6-percent of bypass procedures. This can happen anywhere from 3-days to several weeks after surgery. Unfortunately, this can be a life-threatening complication and requires immediate treatment.

Preparing for Surgery

Most doctors will require gastric bypass patients to follow certain regimens ahead of surgery. VeryWell Health says months before, patients need to attend a presurgical education and lifestyle program. Gastric bypass isn’t a magical cure-all to weight loss. This program will ensure patients are knowledgeable of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for successful results.

About 2-weeks before surgery, patients will need to be on a liquid diet. Along with daily protein shakes, drinking eight glasses of zero-calorie liquids are required. Right before surgery, you may also be asked to shower and wash the ventral area with an antibacterial soap.