What are the long-term consequences of a gastric bypass?
Among the long-term consequences of the gastric bypass are the lifelong supplementation of food supplements. This should definitely be taken into account, as otherwise it is very easy to be undersupplied with vitamins, proteins or minerals. In addition, the change in diet that accompanies a gastric bypass operation should not be underestimated.
On the one hand, not so large portions are tolerated. These often lead to nausea or vomiting. On the other hand, incompatibilities with different foods occur more often.
Especially often, intolerance symptoms are caused by very sugary or fatty foods. Lactose intolerance can also develop after the operation. Furthermore, complications that have arisen as a result of the operation can persist for a very long time, such as stomach pain.
It should also be noted that due to the shortened digestive tract, it may not be possible to take up enough medication. In such cases, the dose of medication must be adjusted. Of course, regular follow-up examinations must also be carried out.
Positive long-term consequences of the gastric bypass are the significant weight loss, which, however, also leads to skin flaps. The weight loss usually leads to an improvement in obesity-associated diseases. Thus, diabetes mellitus usually improves significantly after a gastric bypass. In many cases, insulin therapy is then no longer necessary.
What do health insurance companies cover?
In some cases, health insurance companies pay the full cost of the operation. The exact conditions vary among the health insurance companies. As a rule, however, a BMI of over 40 kg/m2 must always be present.
A BMI between 35 and 40 kg/m2 must be a disease caused by obesity. In addition, conservative therapies for weight reduction, such as nutrition and exercise therapies, must already have been exhausted without success. This must be proven to the health insurance company.
Of course, there must also be no contraindication for the operation. The health insurance company must receive an expert opinion from the physician in charge, the patient’s application with detailed information on overweight including secondary diseases and a psychotherapeutic statement. The psychotherapeutic statement should identify psychological factors that have a negative effect on the success of the therapy postoperatively.
In addition, lifelong aftercare must be ensured. If all these points are fulfilled, the health insurance companies will cover the costs. If the health insurance does not cover the costs, about 10,000 € must be raised for the operation.
