Gastric Bypass Surgery Side Effects
Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery recommended to individuals who are morbidly or severely obese and have not been able to lose weight through other methods. This level of obesity can be dangerous to their overall health, putting them at risk of stroke, heart attack, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and a shorter lifespan in general.
With gastric bypass, their stomach is separated into two parts: a large portion and a small portion. Following the procedure, all food bypasses the most significant part and only goes into the lower pocket. This lets people get fuller much faster, reducing how much they eat and making them lose weight and keep it off. It is an extremely strong type of surgery but also one that has a series of side effects following the procedure.
Here are the side effects everyone should know before they go through with gastric bypass.
Reduced Nutrient Absorption
A common side effect shortly after having gastric bypass surgery is reduced nutrient absorption. Gastric bypass causes food to bypass parts of the small intestine and the stomach, where the nutrients were previously absorbed. This causes a lack of nutrients until the body adjusts to the changes. A nutritional supplement is often recommended to patients after having the surgery.
Vitamin Deficiency
Along with reduced nutrient absorption, many gastric bypass patients also experience vitamin deficiency. This is due to a lack of food eaten during each meal. The most common vitamin deficiencies are vitamin B12 and iron, with approximately half of these patients developing anemia without the proper amount of iron.
Learn more about vitamin deficiency
Dehydration
Dehydration happens very quickly, as patients should drink about two liters of water or liquid daily following surgery. If they fail to do so, it leads to dehydration, which can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting. This leads to an imbalance of electrolytes and vitamin deficiencies. It is a vicious cycle that is hard to stop.
Learn more about dehydration after bariatric surgery
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are both common side effects after having gastric bypass surgery. As a significant abdominal surgery, it can be hard on the body. Eating changes, vitamin irregularities, and dehydration all increase the risk of developing nausea, which can lead to vomiting. Some ways to avoid this are eating slowly, eating smaller bites, drinking plenty of water, chewing food for longer before swallowing, and avoiding dry and dense foods. Occasional nausea or abdominal discomfort can be normal, but if it is frequently occurring, especially with vomiting, a doctor should be called.
Dumping Syndrome
Dumping syndrome is one of the more serious side effects of gastric bypass surgery. This term refers to when the stomach empties all of its contents into the small intestine. It usually happens when someone eats too many fatty or greasy foods or those high in sugar.
Learn more about dumping syndrome after bariatric surgery
Not all of these side effects will occur, and you may have other complications. Speak to your doctor if you experience anything unusual after surgery.
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