Possible Complications of weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Possible Complications of weight loss surgery (Bariatric Surgery)

Obesity has been a common problem with most of the people all around the world. People are looking for several measures to overcome the problem of obesity. Bariatric surgery is one of the most popular techniques of loosing weight for the last few years. Bariatric surgery can be done to a person having body mass index (BMI) above 40. This is about 100 pounds of excess weight for men and 80 pounds for women. Bariatric surgery is a weight-loss surgery that involves a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Bariatric surgery includes reduction of stomach size of the stomach by implanting a medical device called gastric banding or by removing a portion of the stomach or by gastric bypass surgery.

Though Bariatric surgery is very popular these days and has been carried out very successfully. But any surgery is left with some complications. Even bariatic surgery has various complications that can be discussed as:

• Bariatic surgery increases the chance of pneumonia due to extra stress on the chest cavity and lungs.
• One more complication can be clotting of blood in the legs or pelvis. This condition is called venous thrombosis. Some of the most common complications with percentage of possibility are:
  Gastric dumping syndrome: 20%
  Leaks at the surgical site: 12%
  Incisional hernia: 7%
  Infections: 6%
  Pneumonia: 4%
  Mortality: 0.2%
• Pulmonary embolism has been reported in the patients undergoing bariatic surgery.
• A major complication of bariatic surgery can be formation of ulcers at the point where the small intestine attaches to the upper part of the stomach.
• Infection of the incisions or inside the abdomen may occur due to the action of bacteria released during the surgery.
• Bariatic surgery often leads to scarring of the bowel, called adhesions. These adhesions may trap the bowel resulting it to become kinked and obstructed.
• There may be a problem of hernia or weakness in the incision.
• A rare complication that has been seen is narrowing of the opening (stoma) between the stomach and intestine.
• After undergoing the surgery the body may be unable to absorb certain vitamins and minerals, which may lead to further complication of nutritional deficiencies. Such as anemia due to the deficiency of iron and vitamin B12, bone disease due lack of minerals and vitamin D.
• Formation of kidney stone is also possible due to changes in the absorption of calcium and oxalate in the body.
• A person is not able to drink sufficient amount of water after surgery leading to dehydration.
• Some more complications may lead to Body aches, tiredness, dry skin, hair loss, cold and sometimes mental disturbance too.