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- Mayo Clinic: Bariatric surgery
- Mayo Clinic: Gastric bypass surgery
- Medline Plus: Gastric bypass surgery
- Weight Control Information Network: Bariatric surgery for severe obesity
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Gastric Bypass Complications Four Years Post OP
Gastric bypass surgery is the most popular type of weight loss surgery in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic 234. Gastric bypass surgery can be done through open surgery or laparoscopically 34. Gastric bypass is considered a major surgery that reduces the size of the stomach and re-routes the small intestine 34. It can have short-term and long-term complications that may require additional surgeries or changes in lifestyle.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Ulcers
Gastric bypass complications that occur four years post-op are considered long-term complications. According to the Mayo Clinic ulcers occur in 5 percent of people with gastric bypass surgery and are more common in people who take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, or NSAIDS 234. Ulcers may be treated with medications but may also require avoidance of certain foods known to aggravate ulcers like spicy or acidic foods, citrus and alcohol.
- Gastric bypass complications that occur four years post-op are considered long-term complications.
- Ulcers may be treated with medications but may also require avoidance of certain foods known to aggravate ulcers like spicy or acidic foods, citrus and alcohol.
Hernia
Symptoms of Antral Ulcers
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A hernia is a weakness in the incision site that may cause bulging of tissue and occurs in 15 percent of patients who have had open surgery but only 2 percent of patients who have had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic 234. A hernia may require surgical repair depending on its severity. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, or URMC, up to 20 percent of patients who have had a roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a type of gastric bypass surgery, require follow-up surgery to correct problems like hernias 134.
Nutrient Deficiencies
The Weight Control Information Network says gastric bypass patients may experience nutrient deficiencies due to malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to anemia, a blood disorder, neurological complications, permanent nerve damage and bone disorders like osteoporosis. As a result, patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are often required to take vitamin and mineral supplements 34.
Dumping Syndrome
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Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly through the stomach and small intestine, according to Medline Plus. Dumping can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and sweating. Other long-term digestive problems that occur with gastric bypass surgery include heartburn and gastritis 34. Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining gets inflamed and can cause abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
- Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly through the stomach and small intestine, according to Medline Plus.
- Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining gets inflamed and can cause abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
Other Complications
Experts at the Mayo Clinic say the narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small intestine can result from gastric bypass surgery 234. Narrowing is considered a rare complication but may require surgical repair. Other long-term complications of gastric bypass surgery include kidney stones, gallstones and dehydration 34. Kidney stones occur due to a change in how the body absorbs minerals like calcium and oxalate and according to Medline Plus gallstones are associated with rapid weight loss. Dehydration can occur because patients are unable to drink enough fluid due to the small size of their stomach.
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References
- Highland Hospital, University of Rochester Medical Center: Gastric bypass Roux-en-Y
- Mayo Clinic: Bariatric surgery
- Mayo Clinic: Gastric bypass surgery
- Medline Plus: Gastric bypass surgery
- Beamish AJ, Reinehr T. Should bariatric surgery be performed in adolescents?Eur J Endocrinol. 2017 Apr;176(4):D1-D15. doi:10.1530/EJE-16-0906
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Bariatric Surgery Procedures.
- Maciejewski ML et al. Bariatric Surgery and Long-term Durability of Weight Loss JAMA Surg. 2016 Nov 1;151(11):1046-1055. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.2317
- Telem DA, Jones DB, Schauer PR, Brethauer SA, Rosenthal RJ, Provost D, Jones SB. (March 2020). Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). Updated Panel Report: Best Practices for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity.
- Stahl JM, Malhotra S. Obesity Surgery Indications and Contraindications. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Updated May 2020.
- Kim RB. (Updated April 2020). Bariatric operations for management of obesity: Indications and preoperative preparation. Jones D, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
- Palermo M, Acquafresca PA, Rogula T, Duza GE, Serr E. Late surgical complications after gastric by-pass: a literature review. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2015 Apr-Jun; 28(2): 139–143. doi:10.1590/S0102-67202015000200014
- University of Rochester Medical Center. (2020). Anastomotic Leak After Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Kim RB. (Updated May 2019). Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Jones D, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
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- Monpellier VM, Antoniou EE, Aarts EO, Janssen IMC, Jansen ATM. Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Related to Weight Loss. Obes Surg. 2017; 27(5): 1168–1173. doi:10.1007/s11695-016-2468-6
- Adams TD, Mehta TS, Davidson LE, Hunt SC. All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Associated with Bariatric Surgery: A Review. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2015 Dec; 17(12): 74. doi:10.1007/s11883-015-0551-4
- John Hopkins Medicine. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Weight-Loss Surgery.
- Edholm D, Kullberg J, Karlsson FA, Haenni A, Ahlström H, Sundbom M. Changes in liver volume and body composition during 4 weeks of low calorie diet before laparoscopic gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. May-Jun 2015;11(3):602-6. doi:10.1016/j.soard.2014.07.018
- UCSF Health. Recovery from Bariatric Surgery.
- Richardson WS, Plaisance AM, Periou L, Buquoi J, Tillery D. Long-term Management of Patients After Weight Loss Surgery. Ochsner J. 2009 Fall; 9(3): 154–159.
- UPMC. (2020). About Post-Surgery Bariatric Vitamins & Bariatric Supplements.
- Aminiana A, Changa J, Brethauera SA, Kimb JJ, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Clinical Issues Committee. ASMBS updated position statement on bariatric surgery in class I obesity (BMI 30-35 kg/m2). Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 14 (2018) 1071-87.
- UCLA Health. Obesity Treatments. Gastric Bypass Surgery.
Writer Bio
Bethany Fong is a registered dietitian and chef from Honolulu. She has produced a variety of health education materials and worked in wellness industries such as clinical dietetics, food service management and public health.