Explanation of Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery Part 2

After you go home from the hospital, you will need to pay close attention to the instructions given to you by your surgeon and your physician. There are however, complications of gastric bypass surgery that you should be aware of and contact your physician if any of these occur. The most important thing to remember when it comes to complications of gastric bypass surgery is that they can occur any where from days, to weeks, to months, or even years after your surgery.

Complications of gastric bypass surgery after discharge include:

•  Narrowing of the anastomosis - The anastomosis is the opening between the stomach and the small intestines. If the opening becomes narrower, you will experience vomiting and other symptoms.

•  Leaking at the staple lines - This can happen at the connection from the bowel to another organ or even leakage out of the skin

•  Hernia at the incisions - These complications of gastric bypass surgery occur 20 percent of the time in patients with weight over 300 pounds. However, if can be repaired with another surgery.

•  Bowel Obstruction - This is caused from scar tissue and can also be repaired with another surgery.

•  Ulcer - This is a complication of gastric bypass surgery that can occur at the opening between the stomach and the small intestines. This does happen in 2 to 4 percent of patients. These ulcers are called stomal ulcer and can be caused from aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, overeating, and smoking. These ulcers can be treated with Zantac, Pepcid, Tagamet and a few others.

•  Constipation - Constipation is a complication of gastric bypass surgery that can occur with any type of abdominal surgery. The intake of fluids in the amount of 54 to 64 ounces per day should help to relieve this complication.

•  Gallstones - Gallstones can occur when a person loses weight at a fast rate. If you are apt to develop gallstones, it normally happens within the first 6 to 18 months after surgery.