khassandraGastric Bypass Surgery- Risks To Consider
December 10th 2010 13:04
Prior to undergoing a gastric bypass surgery, a patient must be wholly educated of the indication, benefits, complications as well as the risks of the procedure in order to arrive at an informed decision and feel a sense of control during the surgery. This procedure is generally safe, but it pays to understand gastric bypass surgery risks before going under the knife. Risks don’t necessarily mean these dangers will occur. Depending on the patient’s body’s reaction to the surgery, as well as the skills and equipment of the surgeon, risks may be great or very minimal. Educating a patient on gastric bypass surgery risks will simply help them be aware and prepare better for the procedure.
Bleeding or Leakage and Infection
Obesity can increase a patient’s risks for bleeding or haemorrhage, particularly within the immediate post-surgery period. Obese individuals may experience poor wound healing due to the excessive carbohydrates in their bodies. Hemmorhage is even more critical when it is within the body. Often, bleeding may start where the staples were put in place. By the time it becomes apparent that the person is bleeding, he or she may have already lost a lot of blood and could go into shock.
Another risk could be leakage from the stomach of fluids that seep into the abdominal cavity. This could lead to a complication such as an infection within the cavity called peritonitis. Because of poor wound healing, the surgical wound may become more susceptible to bacteria and also get infected, especially if not taken cared of meticulously. Wound infections are more common in post-operative patients who have diabetes mellitus, primarily because their high blood sugar interferes with healing.
Pulmonary Embolism
Obesity causes more formation of blood clots. Surgery can cause a clot to be dispersed into the blood stream. This is critical because if the blood clot blocks a vessel, flow to the lungs could cause the cells of the organ to die. The lungs stop working, and there is no way a person can still breathe in and utilize oxygen. This is considered a medical emergency.
Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional deficiency is common in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. This is because the part of the stomach which normally absorbs everyday nutrients and minerals such as iron, protein and other vitamins no longer function. The food goes from the upper stomach segment straight to the small intestine. Therefore, the body does not get the needed nutrients from the food that is eaten. Iron-deficiency anemia, hair loss, osteoporosis are manifestations of deficiency in protein, calcium and iron.
Bleeding or Leakage and Infection
Obesity can increase a patient’s risks for bleeding or haemorrhage, particularly within the immediate post-surgery period. Obese individuals may experience poor wound healing due to the excessive carbohydrates in their bodies. Hemmorhage is even more critical when it is within the body. Often, bleeding may start where the staples were put in place. By the time it becomes apparent that the person is bleeding, he or she may have already lost a lot of blood and could go into shock.
Another risk could be leakage from the stomach of fluids that seep into the abdominal cavity. This could lead to a complication such as an infection within the cavity called peritonitis. Because of poor wound healing, the surgical wound may become more susceptible to bacteria and also get infected, especially if not taken cared of meticulously. Wound infections are more common in post-operative patients who have diabetes mellitus, primarily because their high blood sugar interferes with healing.
Pulmonary Embolism
Obesity causes more formation of blood clots. Surgery can cause a clot to be dispersed into the blood stream. This is critical because if the blood clot blocks a vessel, flow to the lungs could cause the cells of the organ to die. The lungs stop working, and there is no way a person can still breathe in and utilize oxygen. This is considered a medical emergency.
Nutritional Deficiency
Nutritional deficiency is common in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. This is because the part of the stomach which normally absorbs everyday nutrients and minerals such as iron, protein and other vitamins no longer function. The food goes from the upper stomach segment straight to the small intestine. Therefore, the body does not get the needed nutrients from the food that is eaten. Iron-deficiency anemia, hair loss, osteoporosis are manifestations of deficiency in protein, calcium and iron.
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