Complications

Description

1

Allergic Reactions

From minor reactions such as a rash to sudden overwhelming reactions that can cause death.

2

Anesthetic Complications

Anesthesia used to put you to sleep for the operation can be associated with a variety of different complications up to and including death.

3

Bleeding

Surgery involves incisions and cutting that can result in bleeding complications, from minor to massive, that can lead to the need for emergency surgery, transfusion or death.

4

Blood Clots

Also called deep vein thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolus that can sometimes cause death.  I understand that I need to get out of bed the evening after surgery and move and flex my feet and legs to try to help prevent clots from forming in my legs

5

Infection

Including wound infections, bladder infections, pneumonia, skin infections and deep abdominal infections that can sometimes lead to death.

6

Leak

After operation to bypass the stomach the new connections can leak stomach acid, bacteria and digestive enzymes causing a severe abscess and infection.  This can require repeated surgery, and intensive care and even death.

7

Narrowing (stricture)

Narrowing (stricture) or ulceration of the connection between the stomach and the small bowel can occur after the operation this can require emergency operation, intensive care and can sometimes lead to death.

8

Indigestion, Reflux or Ulcers

The operation can sometimes lead to severe nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, gastritis or ulcers.  This can be severe and can last for days, weeks and possibly even longer.  This is especially likely if you have had previous problems with nausea, abdominal pain or ulcers.

9

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping Syndrome (Symptoms of the dumping syndrome include cardiovascular problems with weakness, sweating, nausea, diarrhea and dizziness) can occur in some patients after gastric bypass. This can be so severe that the surgery may have to be reversed.

10

Bowel Obstruction

Any operation in the abdomen can leave behind scar that can put the patient at risk for later bowel blockage or obstruction.  The bowel can twist, obstruct and even perforate leading to serious complications and even death.

11

Laparoscopic Surgery Risks

Laparoscopic Surgery uses punctures to enter the abdomen and this can to lead to abdominal injury, bleeding and even death.

12

Side Effects of Drugs

All drugs have inherent risks and complications and in some cases can cause a wide variety of side effects, reactions and in some cases including death.

13

Loss of Bodily Function

The performance of surgery and anesthesia can stress the body’s systems leading to a variety of complications including stroke, heart attack, limb loss and other problems related to operation and anesthesia.

14

Risks of Transfusion

Including Hepatitis and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), from the administration of blood and/or blood components.  These illnesses are serious and can be fatal.

15

Hernia

Cuts and incisions in the abdominal wall can lead to hernias after surgery.  Hernias can lead to bowel blockage, obstruction and even perforation and death in some cases.

16

Hair Loss

Many patients develop hair loss for a period after operation.  This usually responds to increased levels of vitamins but can be permanent. 

17

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

After gastric bypass there is a malabsorbtion of many vitamins and minerals.  Patients must take vitamin and mineral supplements forever to protect themselves fro these problems.  You also need to have yearly blood tests to measure the blood levels of these vitamins and minerals.

This is very important: Patients must take vitamin and mineral supplements forever.  In some cases the deficiencies are so severe that they can lead to nerve and brain damage and the operation must be reversed.

18

Excessive Weight Loss

Some patients sustain excessive weight loss after operation and may require reversal of the bypass to prevent severe malnutrition, nausea or vitamin and mineral deficiencies or death.

19

Complications of Pregnancy

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can put the newborn babies of gastric bypass mothers at risk.  No pregnancy should occur for the first one to two years after operation.  Gastric Bypass has been shown to cause multiple types of vitamin and mineral deficiencies including: iron, B12, Folate, calcium and many others. Many of these deficiencies have been shown to cause birth defects or are suspected that they could cause birth defects. We also know that many patients who lose weight feel that they are well after surgery and forget to take their vitamins.  Patients must be certain not to miss any of their vitamins if they decide to go ahead with pregnancy later.

20

Unplanned Pregnancy

Warning to women using Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills): More than 80 million women worldwide take "the pill" to prevent pregnancy. Typical failure rates among pill users are as high as 12% to 20% in some surveys.  Other factors have been shown to increase the risk of pill failure: smoking, diarrhea and/or vomiting drug interactions, systemic illness, psychological stress, menstrual disturbances.  So CONCLUSION: BC Pills may not be an effective method after the Mini-Gastric Bypass until those factors have resolved. An unplanned pregnancy can be one of life's most difficult experiences.

21

Other

Major abdominal surgery, including the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass, is associated with a large variety of other risks and complications, both recognized and unrecognized that occur both soon after and long after the operation.

22

Depression

Depression and anxiety are common medical illnesses and have been found to be particularly common after operation. 

23

Death

This is a major and serious operation.  It may lead to death from complications in some circumstances.