As with other bariatric surgeries, there are gastric bypass surgery side effects.
Positive Gastric Bypass Surgery or Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Side Effects
Its most common and expected side effect, of course, is weight loss. This is primarily the reason why it is commonly done to individuals who are overly obese. Weight loss is one of the gastric bypass surgery side effects because through this surgery, the size of the stomach is reduced by about 90%. Normally, the stomach can accommodate about 1000mL of food. However, the pouch created during gastric bypass can only hold about 15mL. The pouch is usually created in the part of the stomach which is least likely to stretch. This prevents significant changes in the size of the pouch.
Another one of the gastric bypass surgery side effects is the immediate feeling of fullness after eating just a small amount of food. This is related to the small size of the stomach; because of its reduced size, the walls of the stomach are stretched quickly. The rapid stretching stimulates the nerves which signal the brain that the stomach is full.
Undesirable Gastric Bypass Surgery Side Effects: Gastric Bypass Complications
Like any other major surgeries, a gastric bypass surgery has its complications. Some gastric bypass complications are seen in other abdominal operations as well, while some only occur in only in bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass and the sleeve surgery.
Individuals who undergo gastric bypass are susceptible to infection. The risk is particularly heightened because of the release of bacteria from the bowel to the abdominal cavity during the operation. Pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney infections may also occur. These infections can be prevented by prophylactic antibiotics, respiratory therapy, and encouraging the patient to move as soon as possible.
Bowel obstruction, venous thromboembolism, hernia, and hemorrhage are also possible, undesirable gastric bypass surgery side effects.
Another unwanted gastric bypass side effect is dumping syndrome. This is a set of signs and symptoms common to people who undergo gastric bypass. People who use a stomach band to lose weight rarely have this syndrome. Dumping syndrome usually involves palpitations, nausea, cold sweats, and anxiety. Diarrhea might also occur. Dumping syndrome usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
Unwanted gastric bypass surgery side effects can be minimized and can even be prevented, so long as the patient strictly follows the required therapeutic regimen.
