Becoming overweight can lead to myriad of medical illnesses. In the long run, it may even lead to decreased life expectancy. The number of obese people around the world is increasing and adults and adolescents are highly affected.
There are however different methods that can be explored to get rid of extra kilos. Exercising and subscribing to healthy diet is a great option for some patients. On the contrary, their long term achievement for weight loss is not favorable to patients that want to lose an exorbitant amount of weight in a shorter amount of time.
The risk of waiting the months necessary whilst ascribing to consistent exercise and a healthy diet can have high failure rate. Evidence demonstrates that patients that resort to diet, medications and exercises have higher failure rate than those who take advantage of the benefits of weight loss surgery. To this end, bariatric surgery has a proven, effective long term weight loss solution.
Before Bariatric Surgery - Here’s a Shocker
Bariatric surgery is a medical procedure that lets morbidly obese individuals lose significant number of stones in their body. Some patients who are looking for quick-fix solutions to their weight problems often fail to consider some risks that come with it.
It is true that bariatric surgery is more effective than other weight loss options such as dieting and exercises. However, there are risks that many patients fail to understand before committing to gastric bypass surgery, mini gastric bypass surgery or gastric sleeve surgery.
The point here is that bariatric surgery is faster way of losing kilos, faster. A morbidly obese individual who wants to have the procedure has to fully understand the problems that could arise when the preferred bariatric surgery is not followed by proper care, dieting and consistent exercise.
It would do the patient a whole lot of good understanding how these bariatric surgeries work. It is also worthy to note the risks posed by each if the follow up care is not adhered to by the patient. With this information, a morbidly obese individual will become aware of challenges he tends to face when the procedure is planned.
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
In the medical field (weight loss surgical operations in particular), gastric bypass surgery is one of the first weight loss surgeries. Also known as the “Roux-en-Y”. Gastric bypass surgery is designed to let obese patients lose weight faster.
The size of the stomach is significantly removed. This leads to reduced food intake. The gastric bypass surgery goes through two (2) stages. The first entails stapling of the stomach. A small pouch is created in the upper part of the stomach and will take the place of the full stomach.
The next step includes connecting the “new stomach” to the middle of the small intestine. The whole process seals off most part of the stomach, leaving a small pouch as the new stomach.
The bypass brings about redirection of food to the middle of the small intestine. Hence, a smaller portion of food will be taken in. In the long run, there will be decrease in the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs.
Gastric Bypass is Safe
Contrary to reports that bariatric surgery is faster option for weight loss, gastric bypass surgery is not entirely safe, that is, if the patient does not follow up the surgery with the directives of their medical team. Because the procedure changes the traditional way the digestive system functions, side effects are enhanced when the patient does not follow all that is needed.
Researches have demonstrated that morbidly obese patients lose up to 80% of their excessive weight three years after a gastric bypass surgery. Despite being an effective bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery poses risks to the patient who believes the surgery is all that's needed to lose weight.
Side Effects to Look For
When preparing for any bariatric surgery, you must have in mind that the procedure could go wrong. This helps you get prepared for possible side effects that come after the procedure. Whether you’re settling for gastric bypass surgery, gastric sleeve surgery and the mini gastric bypass, each of them are not the one stop shop for weight loss, as some responsibility is taken by the patient to follow nutritional guidelines. For the gastric bypass surgery, knowledge of these side effects will help you prepare for after the procedure.
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Gastric bypass surgery reduces the amount of calories the body absorbs. In addition, the amount of nutrients the body absorbs is also reduced. After the procedure, it is likely that a patient finds some food distasteful and might avoid them completely.
Sometimes, these healthier foods are either eaten in small portions or avoided altogether. It is important to note that the limited amount of food to be consumed should have significant amount of proteins and calories. Absence of these creates opening for nutritional deficiencies that can lead to malnutrition.
Patients can seek the counsel of Weight Loss Riga on the right diet and supplements. Nutritional deficiencies are a significant side effect of the gastric bypass surgery. Any of these deficiencies can result in anemia, diarrhea and/or nausea.
The solution is sticking to meals that are packed with nutritional features such as calories and proteins. This puts off severe long-term complications that can arise from not following the nutritional plan the medical team at Weight Loss Riga will outline for you.
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Gallstones
Gallstones also make the list of side effects associated with the gastric bypass surgery. These are small cholesterol stones that are formed in the gall bladder. They are in the body and are only triggered by a major weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass surgery.
Gallstones are not a common side effect and can be avoided. Learn more by contacting Weight Loss Riga.
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Abdominal Hernia
Gastric bypass patients should look out for abdominal hernia. This side effect is usually painful for the patient and additional surgery becomes last resort to fix them. The surgeon at Weight Loss Riga has decades of experience and a pristine surgical record, so if side effects were to occur, you are in great hands at Weight Loss Riga.
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Hypoglycemia
Development of low blood sugar (also known as hypoglycemia) is another side effect of the gastric bypass surgery. Patients that have this often battle high insulin in their body. On the other hand, the amount of glucose in the bloodstream is low.
Complications associated with hypoglycemia include seizures, extreme sweating and dizziness. More intakes of protein and slow-acting carbohydrates are recommended to increase glucose production. In severe cases, the pancreas (the insulin-producing organ) is cut off to reduce insulin in the body.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery is a bariatric surgery that is favored by overweight individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher. Also known as the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric sleeve surgery aims at reducing the size of the stomach. It is worthy of note that the procedure is restrictive and cuts down the amount of food intake.
The stomach which was previously the size of a football is reduced to a banana-sized shape. A larger part of the stomach (about 80%) is taken off. The procedure is quite effective because patients get full faster. It has been posited as the best as the intestines are not by-passed.
The interesting feature of the procedure is removal of the hunger-hormone, ghrelin. Despite the fact that gastric sleeve surgery lets the patient get full faster and the stomach is reduced, it is not free of risks. Despite the less complicated procedure, there are side effects that are associated with the gastric sleeve surgery when the nutritional directives are not followed post-surgery.
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Staple Leaks
Staple leaks are a rare side effects to the gastric sleeve surgery. Even though the occurrence is very very few, it has happened to some patients who select clinics that do not have a lower amount of experience or surgical standards than Weight Loss Riga, whose proven incredible results and competitive rates draw attention from prospective patients all over the EU. During the procedure, the stomach is divided with a stapling device. This leaves two twos of the steel staples. There are tendencies of broken staple lines and this is usually a week after the procedure.
At other clinics, it has been experienced that the line breaks, and leaks form. The leakage of digestive contents from the broken staple line leads to infections. Symptoms to look out for are elevated heart rate and fever. Patients should consult their doctor when these symptoms are noticed and make sure intensive care is started off in earnest.
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Blood Clots
Blood clots may occur after a gastric sleeve surgery because of the limited blood mobility. The restriction leads to blood packing at a particular point. Incidences of blood clot after the procedure are about one percent but should be taken seriously. Most blood clots occur when a patient goes to a clinic with lower medical standards.
Symptoms like inflammation of body parts (such as arms and legs) and pain are clue to blood clot. Immediate medical care should be sought when this is noticed.
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Internal Hemorrhage
Internal bleeding is one other side effect to look out for after a gastric sleeve surgery. Though rare, internal hemorrhage usually takes places along the staple line in the stomach. Signs of blood in stool are indication that a patient that underwent gastric sleeve surgery has internal bleeding.
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Stricture
Inflammation of the stomach’s opening is happens, though quite rarely after a gastric sleeve surgery. This happens when the food passage gets restricted and the outcome is a swollen stomach. Signs of vomiting the undigested food and nausea are indications that a patient has stricture.
The solution is performing an endoscopic dilation. The procedure widens the gap between the intestines and the stomach.
What is Mini Gastric Bypass?
The procedure is regarded as the faster way of getting around the gastric bypass surgery. The procedure had been widely accepted because of its low-cost and lower risk of complications. The mini gastric bypass reduces the size of the stomach and reroutes the intestine.
Patients that opt for this procedure get full faster while eating and absorb fewer calories. The procedure has same milestone as its antecedent (the gastric bypass surgery). Studies have shown that the health improvement and weight loss figures are at par.
Despite the lower risks associated with mini gastric bypass, there are certain side effects that a morbidly obese individual has to be aware of before settling for the procedure. Though, at Weight Loss Riga, the risks of these side effects are far more reduced, as our surgeon and our medical team are armed with decades of experience and the very best and most modern surgical equipment.
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Dyspepsia
It had been noted that the procedure reduces the stomach’s size and in extension, food consumption. Dyspepsia is characterized by burning sensation in the upper abdomen. This makes digestion harder. Alcohol is another major cause of dyspepsia. However, it can be treated by switching diets and avoiding specific food that will increase the sensation. H2 blockers and antacids are also of help when diets don’t work.
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Dumping Syndrome
Despite performed laparoscopically, some patients that underwent mini gastric bypass experience dumping syndrome. Incidences of dumping syndrome are less likely than the gastric bypass surgery.
The syndrome is caused by faster passage of food through the digestive tract. People who have had part of their stomach removed should watch out for weakness, nausea and palpitation as signs of dumping syndrome. Weight Loss Riga educates patients about these potential side effects.
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Diarrhea
There is also tendency of frequent stooling after mini gastric bypass. This is dependent on meals so patients that underwent mini gastric bypass should figure out meals that that could trigger it.
The malabsorptive feature of mini gastric bypass had made occurrence of diarrhea very high. However, this can be taken care of by eating less dairy products.
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Hypoalbuminemia
10% of patients that settled for mini gastric bypass are prone to low levels of albumin in the blood. Stomach cramps, muscle weakness and fatigue are signs to look for. This side effect can be treated with increase in protein intake, which Weight Loss Riga will educate the patient about as well as answer questions for the next 5 years after the surgery took place.
Side Effects Don't Always Happen
Despite their short-term weight loss procedures, bariatric surgeries like the mini gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgery have risks when the patient chooses a clinic with less experienced surgeons and outdated medical equipment. Even though mini gastric bypass had been favoured above the gastric bypass surgery and is becoming popular among morbidly obese individuals, clinics with less experienced surgeons can pose great risks to the patient, and not just in the operating room. A less superior operation can result in painful side effects.
Weight Loss Riga conducts these procedures in safe, comfortable, modern conditions and helps to guide each patient in creating a sustainable weight loss plan. However, for patients who are looking into other clinic, beware of side effects that may occur in bariatric facilities who do not even have liability insurance. Weight Loss Riga has liability insurance that protects each patient.
A superior quality surgery by experienced surgeons, exercising, healthy diet and lifestyle go the extra mile to make these side effects never be experienced. If you’re looking for a place to have your preferred bariatric surgery in safe conditions and under expert hands, Weight Loss Riga is the best pick.
