GastricBypassLongTermComplications

Bariatric surgery or gastric bypass long term complications

Gastric bypass long term complications include malabsorption of vitamins and minerals. After the surgery, the body may not be able to absorb vitamins and minerals due to absence of a part of the stomach and small intestine. Certain vitamins not fully absorbed include Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia which causes fatigue, weakness, dizziness and sometimes fainting. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to neurologic complications such as peripheral neuropathy which causes tingling sensations and numbness of extremities of the patient. Vitamin D malabsorption can lead to bone diseases because of inability of the body to absorb calcium. Vitamin D plays an important role on the regulation of calcium.

Anatomical gastric bypass long term complications

Anatomically, some portion of the stomach has been removed in gastric bypass surgery to allow the patient to consume small amounts of food. Because of this, dehydration may occur because the patient is unable to drink large amounts of fluid. Small frequent fluid intake may help in preventing dehydration.

In gastric bypass, the remaining parts of the stomach is anastomosed or connected with the small intestine. Some patients may have a narrowing or stricture on this connection which can make it difficult for gastric emptying or passage of food. Another surgery is required to fix the stricture. Another gastric bypass long term complications include ulcers. Ulcers can develop on the anastomosis in patients taking in aspirin or non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Patients who are experiencing pain may opt to take other types of analgesics to prevent this complication.

Gastric Bypass Long Term Complications can be prevented with strict follow through of the discharge plan of the surgeon and reporting of untoward side effects for early treatment and diagnosis. Some gastric bypass long term complications are reversible so it’s better to detect them early.

One type of gastric bypass surgery is the vertical gastric sleeve. The advantage of this type of surgery over other forms of gastric bypass is it does not involve the bypass of any part of the small intestine. Because of this, patients do not suffer the gastric bypass long term complications of anemia, stricture, osteoporosis and vitamin deficiency.