GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY RISKS

Thanks to advancements in medical technology, gastric bypass surgery has become safer than ever before. Still, you should be aware that there are risks associated with weight loss surgery, such as infection, excessive bleeding, and gastrointestinal leakage. When you visit Advance Bariatric Center serving the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Long Beach, CA area, you can benefit from Dr. H. Joseph Naim's experience and personalized care. He has performed hundreds of weight loss surgeries, and complications resulting from surgery at our practice are much less frequent than the already low national average. 

The Importance of an Experienced Surgeon

Bariatric procedures are quite safe, though surgery of any kind always involves some risks. Between one and five percent of patients experience serious side effects as a result of gastric bypass surgery. Fatal complications are extremely rare, affecting fewer than one out of every 200 patients. When you choose a surgeon, like Dr. Naim, who performs more than 300 bariatric procedures a year, your risks become even lower. Dr. Naim has completed over 5,000 weight loss procedures, including more than 1,500 LAP-BAND® procedures, more than 1,000 Gastric Bypass operations, over 1,000 Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeries, plus hundreds of Revisional procedures.

Potential Complications

The most serious risks of gastric bypass surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Infection
• Gastrointestinal leaks
• Difficulty breathing

Temporary side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Gallstones
• Diarrhea
• Malnutrition

Dumping syndrome is one of the most common complications of gastric bypass surgery. This condition occurs when, due to the new route of your digestive system, food passes from your stomach to your small intestine too fast. This can result in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cramping, and rapid heart rate. Dietary changes can minimize these symptoms until your body adjusts to the effects of surgery.

When you choose a surgeon who performs hundreds of procedures a year, your risk become even lower. Dr. Naim has completed over 5,000 weight loss procedures, including more than 1,500 LAP-BAND® procedures, more than 1,000 Gastric Bypass operations, over 1,000 Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgeries, plus hundreds of Revisional procedures.

Minimizing Your Gastric Bypass Surgery Risks

During your consultation, Dr. Naim will carefully evaluate your candidacy for surgery, since some patients are more likely to experience complications than others. For instance, if you are a smoker, drink heavily, or suffer from an autoimmune disease, you may face greater risks. The doctor will also help you choose the right type of weight loss surgery. He offers several different options and can help you make an informed and confident decision.

You can also minimize risks if you follow your doctor's orders before and after your procedure. For instance, you should begin to adjust your diet ahead of time. This can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort and help establish the right habits for sustained weight loss. After your treatment, we will provide explicit instructions for your bariatric surgery recovery. This will include dietary guidelines, as well as tips for rest, exercise, and medications. It is also vital that you attend all follow-up appointments that allow us to detect early warning signs of complications and provide any necessary treatment.

Contact Us for More Information

Patient education is crucial to the success of any surgery. Dr. Naim and his team are here to make certain that you understand all risks associated with gastric bypass surgery and what you can do to minimize these risks. To learn more about gastric bypass surgery, contact our office online or give us a call at (310) 684-4070. We have four offices in the greater Los Angeles area.