What are the Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Complications of gastric bypass surgery can result in anything from nausea to death. Gastric bypass is the most common form of bariatric (weight loss) surgery performed in the United States today. However, there have been new procedures introduced that have become popular recently, but gastric bypass still has least amount of complications overall.

Gastric bypass complications can be limited by performing the proper procedure on the proper patient. Generally, these invasive methods for rapid weight loss are reserved for the morbidly obese person who has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher and other weight loss measures have failed. Serious weight related illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure) along with a BMI of 35 to 39.9 are also indications that bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass may be needed. Though often helpful in weight loss, these surgical procedures are not performed without risk.

Gastric bypass surgery complications can be minimized with good patient screening and matching them with the procedure that will have the best potential outcome The most popular form of gastric bypass surgery is the Roux-en-Y (roo-en-y) method. With this method the stomach is literally stapled creating a small pouch along with a passage to the small intestine for the purpose of digestion. One of the complications unique to this procedure can be leakage around the staple sites causing an infection. Infections are treated with antibiotics and are usually not a life threatening complication of gastric bypass surgery.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch is a procedure that carries more risk for complications of gastric bypass surgery than the Roux-en-Y method does. This procedure is much more invasive and blocks approximately 80% of the stomach itself. In this procedure a thin sleeve-like structure is created and the majority of the small intestine is blocked. Only a small area that contains the valve that releases food into the small intestine remains functional. This valve is known as the duodenal switch and the resectioning of the small intestine and stomach is called the biliopancreatic diversion.

Complications of gastric bypass surgery using the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch include malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies due to the loss of most of the stomachs function. This is often the second stage of gastrectomy surgery if weight loss does not occur after the stomach is stapled. Essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals are often not completely digested and thus not properly absorbed by the body. These conditions can be deadly if untreated for long periods of time. The biliopancreatic diversion method is usually reserved for those with a BMI higher than 50. Those with a BMI in excess of 50 are considered to have super morbid form of obesity.

Other complications of gastric bypass surgery can be gallstones, bleeding ulcers, kidney stones, hernia at the area of the incision, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), dehydration and intolerance to specific foods. Though gastric bypass surgery is a method for rapid weight loss, it cannot be viewed as a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise.

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