Gastric Bypass Complication Rates Need To Be Viewed Over A Reasonably Long Time Frame

Gastric bypass surgery (which is also known as bariatric or weight loss surgery) is assisting tens of thousands of morbidly obese people to reduce their risk from life-threatening conditions like diabetes and to get back much of their previous lifestyle. Problems arising from gastric bypass surgery can however be substantial and need to be considered carefully before opting for surgery.

Various studies have been conducted into gastric bypass complication rates in the short-term and these frequently follow the progress of patients for about 30 days after their procedure. However, a more recent study (looking at claims for hospital and outpatient care for more than 5,000,000 people who were members of employment health schemes across 49 states and including in excess of 2,500 weight loss patients) has now extended the results of previous studies to look in depth at complications experienced up to 6 months following surgery.

According to the study death occurred during surgery, or in the 6 months after the procedure, in just 0.2% of patients and that the commonest complications were dumping syndrome (diarrhea, vomiting and reflux) which happened in approximately 20% of cases, anastomosis problems (leakage or restriction at the join between the stomach and intestine) which occurred in roughly 12% of cases, abdominal hernias in roughly 7% of cases, infections in roughly 6% of cases and pneumonia which happened in roughly 4% of patients.

The study also revealed that in the region of 10% or patients who survived the first 30 days following surgery without complication went on to experience problems in the following 5 months. In the majority of cases these complications consisted of dumping, abdominal hernia, anastomosis problems, and marginal ulcers. In addition, although just less than 5% of patients needed be re-admitted during the 30 day period, this figure climbed to just over 7% when looking at the longer 6 month timeframe.

The cost of gastric bypass surgery was also increased considerably by problems and, although people who experienced surgery free from complication paid roughly $25,000, complications within the 6 month post-operative period increased this to roughly $36,500. Where patients had to be re-admitted for further treatment as a result of gastric bypass complications the cost rose to in excess of $65,000.

Weight loss surgery is very much the start of the weight loss process and, as opposed to many types of surgery which cure the problem more or less on the spot, the results of obesity surgery take time to appear. It is not surprising therefore that problems arise after surgery and this is something that must be considered carefully before you take the decision to embark on this particular journey.