What are the risks after surgery? | These are the risks of a gastric bypass

What are the risks after surgery?

Many of the surgical risks only occur after hours or days. Bleeding can sometimes become relevant only after the operation and may require a second operation. Wound infections are typical complications of a surgical procedure.

These can range from harmless wound irritation to severe inflammation in the abdominal cavity and can sometimes be life-threatening. In major abdominal operations, an antibiotic is usually administered during the operation to reduce the risk of infection. Furthermore, infections can also occur as a result of mistakes made during the operation.

Injury to parts of the intestine, for example, can lead to severe inflammation of the peritoneum due to the transfer of food components into the abdominal cavity. A further risk is that pain and poorly healing wounds on the abdomen can occur. Especially in diabetics or severely overweight persons, wounds cannot always heal properly.

Long-term risks after surgery

Gastric bypass surgery represents a serious and permanent intervention in the digestive system, which can be accompanied by subsequent problems and complications. Important tasks of the digestive system are not only the supply of energy but also the regulation of the water, electrolyte and sugar balance, the supply of vitamins and the absorption of protein. Although the gastric bypass operation preserves all the necessary parts of the digestive system, deficiency symptoms and digestive problems can still occur.

The stomach contains various types of cells whose tasks include acid production and the digestion of proteins and vitamin B12. Although the necessary digestive juices are supplied to the food pulp in the later course of the intestine, the changes in the diet can still lead to digestive problems, vitamin deficiency or protein deficiency. A vitamin B12 deficiency can have very drastic consequences.Food intolerances can also be observed more frequently for unexplained reasons after gastric bypass operations.

During the operation, the sutures of the different parts of the intestine can cause blockages or holes in the intestine, which can have various consequences. This is called leakage or stenosis of the intestine. Frequently, in these cases, new interventions are necessary.