Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks

As with any other major surgery, gastric bypass surgery has the potential for risks from complications.

There are certain complications that are common to all abdominal surgeries, but there are also risks specific to gastric bypass operations.

Anyone who chooses to undergo gastric bypass should carefully consider not only the specific risks of this particular surgery, but also the possible risks and complications associated with any kind of abdominal surgery.

General Risks of Abdominal Surgeries

Infection

During an abdominal operation, bacteria might be released from the bowel, leading to infection of the incision of the inside of the abdomen. There is also a risk from other infections like pneumonia, bladder or kidney infections and sepsis. In order to reduce the risks of infections, short-term use of antibiotics, respiratory therapy, and encouragement of activity after the surgery can be applied.

Hemorrhage

Blood vessels must be cut during the surgery and leads to a risk of internal bleeding later on. Blood transfusions or re-operation might be necessary. The use of blood thinners, to prevent venous thromboembolic disease, may increase the risk of hemorrhage slightly.

Hernia

Because of the rearrangement of the bowel, there is the risk of a hernia causing a bowel obstruction. This happens when a surgical incision does not heal well and the muscles of the abdomen separate allowing protrusion of a sac-like membrane containing bowel or other abdominal contents. The risk of abdominal wall hernia is markedly decreased in laparoscopic surgery.

Bowel Obstruction

There is always a risk that the bowel becomes trapped by hernia or the scarring that results from the gastric bypass surgery. This may happen many years after the surgery and another operation is necessary to correct the problem.

Venous Thromboembolism

When the body experiences an injury, such as a bariatric operation, it increases the coagulation of the blood, which leads to increased risk of clots in the veins of the legs, or sometimes the pelvis, particularly in the morbidly obese patient. A pulmonary embolus is when a clot breaks free and floats to the lungs, which carries high risks. To prevent it blood thinners are administered before the operation.

Pre-existing risk factors

There are pre-existing risk factors that can lead to complications during gastric bypass surgery and to higher mortality rates. Such factors are:

• Degree of Obesity
• Heart Disease
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Diabetes Mellitus
• History of Prior Pulmonary Embolism

Besides these general complications and pre-existing risk factors, there are also  specific risks associated with gastric bypass surgery.