Possible Gastric Bypass Complications

There are several surgeries that all fall under the title of gastric bypass, and while they are becoming more and more popular, there are still some complications that you should be aware of. A basic rule of surgery is that there can always be complications, and if they aren't handled properly, complications can lead to all kinds of problems. By understanding possible gastric bypass complications you will be able to make a fully informed decision about whether this type of surgery is for you or not.

• Typical complications. As with any kind of surgery, there are a few "typical" complications that can arise. In fact, you can pretty much guarantee that at least one of these will show up, though the doctor can usually handle them with little or no problem at all. These can include blood clots, infections, vomiting, anemia due to low iron or B12, additional surgery to remove excessive skin, and even additional surgeries for other types of problems.
• Gastritis. One of the more common gastric bypass complications that you can find yourself faced with is called gastritis. This is simply the inflammation of the stomach lining, which usually can be treated with some simple medications and plenty of rest.
• Early osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which is the thinning of bone tissue and the loss of bone density, usually happens over time. That being said, there is the possibility that it could start showing up as complication due to gastric bypass surgeries. If your bones start to hurt or feel excessively tender, then you may want to contact a doctor for an examination.
• "Dumping syndrome." Perhaps one of the single most common, though definitely the least dangerous of all the possible complications. Typically what happens when this occurs is that you are unable to eat certain types of foods, at least for a while, and you end up experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and so on. This type of complication can easily be avoided if you simply follow the advice of your doctor or dietitian. For the most part the types of foods that commonly trigger such a reaction are those that have a high sugar or fat content.

Keep in mind, that this is just some general information about possible complications that you can find yourself faced with in a gastric bypass surgery. There are also other complications that you can experience, particularly if you aren't careful about following the directions of your doctor or surgeon. If you still have any questions, please be sure to contact your doctor for a more in depth discussion.