Gastric Bypass Complication Rates Have To Be Viewed Over A Relatively Long Time Frame
Gastric bypass surgery (otherwise known as weight loss or bariatric surgery) is helping tens of thousands of severely obese individuals to lower their risk from such life-threatening conditions as hypertension and to regain much of their prior lifestyle. Problems arising from gastric bypass surgery can however be significant and need to be taken into consideration before opting for surgery.
Several studies have been conducted looking at rates of gastric bypass complication in the short-term and these frequently follow the progress of patients for up to 30 days after their procedure. However, a more recent study (looking at claims for hospital and outpatient care for over 5 million people who were members of employer sponsored health plans covering forty-nine states and including over 2,500 weight loss patients) has extended the findings of prior investigations to look in detail at complications arising up to 6 months after surgery.
According to the study death occurred during the procedure, 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 occurred in roughly 20% of cases, anastomosis problems (leakage or restriction at the join of the stomach and intestine) which occurred in roughly 12% of cases, abdominal hernias in 7% of cases, infections in 6% of cases and pneumonia which was seen in roughly 4% of patients.
The study also showed that in the region of 10% or people who survived the first 30 days after surgery without complication went on to experience problems in the following 5 months. In almost all cases these problems consisted of dumping, abdominal hernia, anastomosis problems, and marginal ulcers. Additionally, although just less than 5% of patients had to be re-admitted to hospital during the first 30 day period, this figure increased to a little over 7% when looking at the extended 6 month timeframe.
The cost of gastric bypass surgery was also increased significantly by problems and, although individuals experiencing surgery free from complication paid in the region of $25,000, problems within the 6 month post-surgical period pushed this figure up to in the region of $36,500. Where patients needed to be re-admitted to hospital as a result of gastric bypass complications the cost increased to in excess of $65,000.
Weight loss surgery is very much the start of the weight loss process and, as opposed to many forms of surgery which cure the problem instantly, the results of weight loss surgery take some time to appear. It is no surprise therefore that problems arise after surgery and this must be carefully considered before you make any decision to embark on this particular journey.
Tags: bariatric surgery, gastric bypass complications, obesity surgery, surgical risks, weight loss surgery