Gastric Bypass Risks & Complications: What You Need to Know

Gastric bypass, even laparoscopic, is major surgery. Although considered no riskier than hip replacement, complications still arise and patients need to be well informed on how to minimize risk.

Procedure

• Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure used to treat morbid obesity, defined as being 100 or more pounds overweight. Gastric bypass may also be used to treat those with less than 100 pounds of excess weight if they have a concurrent serious medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Significant Risks

• Death from gastric bypass is rare, with two primary causes. One is leaks along the staple or suture line, leading to infection or abscess. The second is the development of blood clots which move to the brain, heart or lungs.

Common Short-term Complications

• Many patients encounter some small complications during recovery including minor incision infection, excess gas, and nausea.

Long Term Risks

• Gastric bypass patients are at increased risk for anemia due to poor absorption of several basic nutrients including iron, folic acid, calcium, and B12. Dumping syndrome, the inability to tolerate sugar, is another frequent and life-long complication.

Considerations

• Gastric bypass should not be undertaken without a thorough understanding of the procedure, recovery process, changes in lifestyle and risks.