Q. What are the dangers and problems faced after Bariatric Surgery?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Bariatric surgery is a major operation performed to reduce the size of the stomach and, in most cases, induce weight loss. While it’s been proven to be very effective for treating obesity, there are some potential problems and dangers associated with this type of surgery. Here we discuss what these issues are so you can make an informed decision if bariatric surgery is right for you.

First and foremost, bariatric surgery poses risks similar to other surgeries such as blood clots, infection or anesthesia reactions. In addition to that there may be a certain level of ongoing pain as your body adjusts post-surgery. This usually subsides fairly quickly but could require some extra attention from your doctor in order to properly manage the pain levels during this transition period.

Nutritional deficiencies can also occur after gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy — two common types of bariatric surgeries — due to the reduced capacity with which food can be absorbed by the body. Patients will likely have dietary restrictions placed on them after their procedure; it's important that they adhere strictly to any instructions given by their doctor or nutritional consultant in order not only avoid further complications but ensure adequate nutrition intake.

In extreme cases, patients may face more serious long-term problems such as leakage from surgical wounds or intestines which could become life-threatening conditions if not addressed immediately by medical professionals; gallstones (or bile duct stones) might develop due to rapid weight loss once again requiring medical intervention ; reflux symptoms may worsen after bariatric procedures leading cause discomfort when eating certain foods; additionally stomach ulcers could occur resulting in persistent burning sensation within the abdominal area .

Finally psychological issues like depression might arise from changes caused by weight loss such as skin laxity and stretch marks which often triggers self confidence issues – therefore those having undergone this kind of operation should always seek psychological support whenever needed .
In conclusion though many risks exist when undergoing a major operation like Bariatric Surgery , through careful planning , adhering strictly adhering postoperative recommendations and being aware of potential side effects , one can increase chances for successful treatment .