Bariatric Surgery, Gastric Bypass, Weightloss Surgeries

7 Dangers of Weight Loss Surgery
Written by Jane Long   
Weight loss surgery is nothing to be considered lightly.  It is a last resort, when other weight loss measures have been exhausted and your overall health is in jeopardy.  Because the surgeon will basically be rerouting your digestive system and placing restrictions on your food intake, it comes with many inherent risks that you should be aware of before undergoing any bariatric procedure.  For example, there are at least 7 dangers of weight loss surgery.

Before you take the drastic step of bariatric surgery of any type, you will undergo a battery of tests, both physical and psychological to determine if you are truly prepared for a total lifestyle change, as well as the benefits and the risks.  As part of the process, you will be made aware of what may go wrong during  or after surgery.

Pay close attention, because it will be up to you to recognize if something is not working right in your body.

Ulcers

Ulcers are possible.  Because of a tissue breakdown, you can develop sores in your stomach.  You may have pain and also throw up.  However, after an upper endoscopy, it is usually treated with an antacid.  With such a small pouch to contain your food, it is no wonder that you may have trouble with the digestive juices causing sores.

Obstructed Bowel

Because you have had abdominal surgery and altered your digestive system, a bowel obstruction is a risk. Scar tissue can grow and cause a blockage in your bowels. If this happens, everything you eat will back up.  You will probably be in a lot of pain and vomit.  It is a dangerous condition, because your abdomen will become distended.  If you do not get help, it can ultimately result in death.

Hernias

Hernias are also a common complication of abdominal surgery. However, because of the type of surgery, you can develop 2 different types of hernias.  You may have this malady if part of your intestine passes under another and gets twisted.  Likewise, you can also get a hernia if part of your muscle wall separates and creates a hole. Then, other internal parts and organs can slip through and basically get strangled.  Unfortunately, it will cause additional surgery to correct.

Esophageal Dilation

If your chosen weight loss surgery is gastric banding, it can result in your esophagus muscle becoming lazy and not properly propelling food and liquids to the stomach.  Upon diagnosis, the doctor can loosen the band.  After a few weeks, the esophagus should regain muscle tone.

Pancreatitis

Everything you eat or drink is filtered by the pancreas. So, it is an extremely serious condition.  Once diagnosed, you will require intravenous feeding while the inflamed pancreas heals.  The condition is painful.  If it is left untreated, it could affect other organs as well.  It is nothing to be ignored.

Liver failure

Usually due to the lack of proper nutrition, your liver can fail.  You cannot live without this organ. Every six months you will have to be tested for liver function.  If it starts to go downhill, it may be necessary to go back in, and reconstruct your digestive system.  If caught in time, you will live, but you will lose the benefits of weight loss surgery.

Nausea

Nausea can be a complication for a variety of reasons.  After the surgery, you may not be able to tolerate certain foods, even if they have been a favorite in the past.  If you eat things that are too sweet or too high in fat, it can actually make you sick.  If you get an obstruction or other problem, nausea is often one of the telltale symptoms.

Unfortunately, these seven dangers of weight loss surgery are not the only illnesses that you will have to watch for after the surgery.  For this reasons, doctors will have to be assured that you know exactly what you are going to do to your body.  It is no small thing to change how your body accepts and digests nutrients.

You will have to go through a battery of tests to determine if you are healthy enough both physically, mentally, and emotionally to undergo the procedure.  The surgery is intense, but living a different lifestyle and always having to be cognizant of possible trouble can be more than some people bargain for when they sign on the consent form.  Anyone willing to have weight loss surgery will have to consider the short-term and long-term effects of the decision.

So, you do not have to be terrified of weight loss surgery.  But, you cannot expect it to be a total miracle, with no side effects or possible complications.  You need to make sure you are well-informed concerning weight loss surgery, so there are no surprises-pleasant or otherwise. Then, you can knowingly make informed decisions about your health and your future.

 
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