Unforeseen Consequences: Bariatric Surgery Side Effects

Unforeseen Consequences: Bariatric Surgery Side Effects

Bariatric surgery is now a common intervention against obesity. Since it is a major procedure, it often has a lasting impact on the physical and psychological health of the patient. It is common for people to look forward to a better life after weight loss. But the assured health benefits that bariatric surgery offers should not shadow its side effects. Awareness and preparedness can empower a patient to deal with unforeseen impacts.

Here are some of the bariatric surgery side effects that patients might have to overcome.

Constipation and Dumping Syndrome

Both constipation and dumping syndrome are short-term effects of bariatric surgery. Sudden changes in how a patient's body digests food can cause these implications. Dumping syndrome results when food is dumped into the small intestine without being digested in the stomach. It results in nausea, vomiting, and weakness. The syndrome can happen in 1-in-2 to 1-in-5 patients who have undergone bariatric procedures. However, one can avoid constipation and dumping with dietary precautions and prescribed eating habits.

Loose Skin

Bariatric surgeries result inweight loss. Once the weight loss begins, patients have to deal with excess skin. For many patients, the loose skin results in a negative self-image. Therefore, mental preparedness to accept the changes that the body will undergo after the operation is essential. This is one of those side-effects that cannot be prevented. But one can opt for skin removal surgeries at a later point.

Addiction Transfer

The chances of addiction to drugs and alcohol remain high in patients who have undergone surgery. It is well known that overeating triggers the same reward mechanism as drugs or alcohol. Thus, post the operation, patients might replace binge-eating with smoking or drug abuse. Such addictions affect long-term health in many ways. Counselling patients at the earliest when such bariatric surgery side effects show up is essential. If left unattended, these effects can soon overpower the benefits of weight loss.

Suicide Risk

Obesity often results in mental health issues before weight loss. Such patients are prone to suffer from depression even after the surgery due to many reasons. Intrusive questions and criticism from friends and acquaintances is a common trigger. Disappointments with the results of the surgery can also cause anxiety. Those patients who fail to overcome these lows sometimes face suicidal tendencies.

Gallstones

Gallstones are one of the consequences of bariatric surgery. Around 35-38 per cent of patients suffer from gallstones after the procedure. As a result, patients have to undergo a second surgery to remove their gallbladder. Some doctors also administer preventive medication courses right after the operation.

Long-term nutritional deficiencies

Changes to the digestive tract can affect nutrient absorption. This causes deficiencies that can sometimes go unnoticed. But they have severe impacts after a certain point. Dietary supplements and post-operative nutritional management can reduce the possibility of such shortcomings.   

Conclusion

Remember that holistic health assessment by experts and careful follow-ups are vital to a patient's complete recovery from bariatric operations. Fortunately, bariatric surgery in Mumbai has excellent post-operative care.