Long Term Effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Obesity may lead to many other serious health problems. Exercises and dieting cannot be effectively used as weight reduction treatments, in some cases of obesity. In these situations, gastric bypass surgery may be suggested to help the patient to reduce weight. Once gastric bypass surgery is done, the patient's lifestyle changes to a great extent. Reduction in the severity of many of the health problems related to obesity, like diabetes and heart diseases, is also seen. Before discerning the long term effects of gastric bypass surgery, let us first understand why and how the surgery is done.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

In gastric bypass surgery, the anatomy of the digestive system is modified, so that it absorbs less calories from the food consumed. The upper portion of the stomach is tied up, to form a small pouch that is almost the size of a walnut and it holds very less amount of food. This pouch is completely isolated from the remaining part of the stomach. The food that enters this pouch, is made to pass directly to the lower part of the small intestine, without passing through the lower stomach. This bypassing of the food reduces the amount of calories absorbed. However, the stomach continues to absorb the required juices for digestion in the small intestine.

There are two types of gastric bypass surgery, open gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopy. In open gastric bypass surgery, the patient is given anesthesia and the stomach is opened up by a cut across the belly. The connections between small intestine and stomach are made directly. As against this, in laparoscopy, the surgery is performed using a camera, called laparoscope (tiny camera). Incisions are made in the belly region and laparoscope is inserted in one of the incisions, images can be seen on the monitor and then bypass is done by inserting thin instruments through remaining incisions. The recovery of the patient is quicker in laparoscopy as compared to open surgery, and also with less complications.

Long term effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery- Benefits

In 75% cases of gastric bypass surgery, the patient loses almost 80% of the excess weight that was previously gained. If the diet plan and regular exercises are properly followed, the reduced weight can be maintained for a long time. Gastric bypass surgery not only reduces weight in a very short period but also helps in the treatment of other health problems like type II diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer. The long term effects of gastric bypass surgery that are beneficial for the patients of these diseases are given below,

• Diabetes: It is observed that a large number of obese people are diabetic. Gastric bypass surgery has helped many diabetic patients in lowering the blood sugar levels and maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
• Arthritis: Obesity usually leads to joint problems, like arthritis, as the joints are unable to sustain the excess weight. The pain in the joints is comparatively reduced after the surgery.
• High blood pressure: In many cases, the doses of the medications used for high blood pressure are reduced and the blood pressure level becomes almost normal after a gastric bypass surgery.
• Asthma: The surgery leads to seldom attacks of asthma and reduces the use of inhaler.
• Sleep apnea: The symptoms of apnea are observed to reduce after the gastric bypass surgery.
• Mental health: Due to the loss in weight, patients gain a lot of confidence and depression is reduced.

Long term effects of Gastric Bypass Surgery- Complications

Since the gastric bypass surgery aims at reduction in the calories absorbed by the body, there may be a number of nutritional deficiencies observed. One has to restrict the diet after the surgery, because the pouch holds very less food. Because of reduced size of stomach, the person feels satiated soon.

• Anemia, Vitamin deficiency: Iron and vitamin B-12 are not absorbed in sufficient amount due to reduced appetite and reduced absorption. Proper food supplements should be taken to avoid this. The patient may also suffer from vitamin A, vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
• Dumping syndrome: It is a group of few symptoms which is result of sudden intake of sugar content. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness are some of the symptoms.
• Incision hernia: The staples made during the surgery may break and give rise to some leakage and cause hernia.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Blood clots are formed in legs and can be fatal if timely treatment is not given. These clots can reach till lungs and can lead to pulmonary embolism.

Gastric bypass surgery has proved to be useful for many obese people. However, the restriction on food and the side effects may cause serious problems. An obese person who wants to undergo gastric bypass surgery should be aware about the surgery and its long term effects.