Gastric Bypass Complication Rates Have To Be Considered Over A Relatively Long Time Frame

Gastric bypass surgery (otherwise referred to as bariatric or weight loss surgery) is assisting tens of thousands of severely obese individuals to lower their risk from such life-threatening conditions as coronary artery disease and to regain much of their previous lifestyle. Problems arising from gastric bypass surgery can however be significant and must be taken into consideration before opting for surgery.

Several studies have been carried out looking at gastric bypass complication rates in the short-term and these normally follow patients for up to 30 days after surgery. A more recent study however (examining claims for hospital and outpatient care for in excess of 5,000,000 people enrolled in employer sponsored health schemes covering forty-nine states and including more than 2,500 weight loss patients) has extended the results of previous investigations to look in detail at complications arising up to 6 months following surgery.

According to the study death occurred during the procedure, or in the 6 months following the procedure, in only 0.2% of patients and the commonest complications were dumping syndrome (diarrhea, reflux and vomiting) which happened in 20% of cases, anastomosis problems (leakage or stricture arising at the site of the join of the stomach and intestine) which occurred in 12% of cases, abdominal hernias in approximately 7% of cases, infections in roughly 6% of cases and pneumonia which was seen in approximately 4% of patients.

The study also found that roughly 10% or people who survived the first 30 days after surgery without complication went on to experience complications in the next 5 months. In the majority of cases these problems were dumping, anastomosis problems, abdominal hernia, and marginal ulcers. Additionally, although just under 5% of patients needed be re-admitted to hospital during the 30 day period, this figure increased to a little over 7% when looking at the longer 6 month time period.

The cost of gastric bypass surgery was also altered significantly by problems and, although people experiencing surgery free of complication paid roughly $25,000, complications within the 6 month post-surgical period increased this to in the region of $36,500. In cases where individuals 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 essentially the start of the weight loss process and, unlike many forms of surgery that cure your problem instantly, the results of weight loss surgery take time to show. It is not surprising therefore that problems arise following surgery and these complications must be carefully considered before making the decision to embark on this particular journey.