Weight Loss Surgery | Los Angeles | Orange County | Inland Empire

LAP-BAND

Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight.

Pouch Revision Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight.

Gastric Sleeve

Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight.

Weight Loss Surgery | Los Angeles | Orange County | Inland Empire Weight Loss Surgery | Los Angeles | Orange County | Inland Empire Weight Loss Surgery | Los Angeles | Orange County | Inland Empire
gastric sleeve_featured

January 30th, 2012

What are the Side Effects from Having Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is an increasingly popular, demonstrably effective form of weight loss surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon removes about three-quarters of the stomach, leaving a section that’s shaped like a tube, or a sleeve. It is considered safe, with only a small minority of patients suffering serious side effects.

Possible side effects of sleeve gastrectomy

Although only a minority of patients experience them, there are possible side effects that patients considering this surgery should be aware of. These side effects include:

  • Nausea. This is usually short-term, and it normally gets better once the patient’s body adapts to the new stomach shape and size.
  • Dumping syndrome.  Because there is no rerouting of the intestinal tract, this is less likely than with gastric bypass, but it still can happen. When a patient eats too much, the stomach can “dump” its contents rapidly; symptoms include dizziness, anxiety, pounding heart, nausea, and stomach cramping or other abdominal distress.

Possible risks and complications of sleeve gastrectomy

In addition, the surgery itself can pose some risks which are more serious, but also more rare than side effects. Risks refer to the immediate operative risks of surgery that one is no longer exposed to after initial recovery is complete (a few days).  These can include:

  • Leaking along the staple line. This can happen along the incision where part of the stomach has been removed. It may need corrective surgery.
  • Internal injury. This is a risk with any surgery. The gastric sleeve is performed laparoscopically, meaning that rather than a big incision and an open abdomen, the surgery is done with slim instruments, through small incisions, with a tiny camera showing the surgeon the way. Injury risk may be reduced, but it is still possible.

Another risk is weight regain

If the patient does not adhere to diet and exercise recommendations, he or she might regain a significant portion of lost weight.

When considering the risks of gastric sleeve surgery, one should also consider the risks of remaining obese. If you are seriously obese and prior weight-loss attempts have been unsuccessful, and a doctor has recommended weight loss surgery, the risks to your cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and general health are likely greater than the risk of surgery.

If you would like more information or have questions about gastric sleeve surgery’s side effects, call LA Bariatric Center at (800) 491-1977. Our staff would love to help you with the answers.

References:

By Jeremy Korman

  • Member Of