Gastric Bypass Surgery Hazards

Gastric bypass is becoming an increasingly common procedure in the United States. While it has many benefits, it is still a dangerous elective surgery that carries risks with it. It has been estimated by the National Institute of Health that between 10 and 20 percent of all gastric bypass patients require follow-up surgery to correct a complication.

The first and one of the most dangerous hazards of gastric bypass is the chance of a pulmonary embolism. This risk carries with it a 1% chance of developing. In it, blood clots develop in the legs following surgery. If they are left undetected or untreated, the clot may break away from its position in the leg and end up in the lungs. When this happens, emergency surgery is required.

Peritonitis is another hazard of gastric bypass. The staples or sutures used in any surgery are capable of rupturing. In the case of gastric bypass, they are keeping the stomach closed. If they open, they will allow stomach fluids to leak into the abdomen. If undetected, again, the fluids can cause a serious infection called peritonitis.

Third, chronic vomiting is an issue. Because the stomach and the intestine are re-routed in a new way, scar tissue can form. When scar tissue forms around the opening of the stomach into the small intestine, the intestines can narrow. This can prevent food from passing into the small intestine which can result in vomiting after eating.

Dumping syndrome is another problem. This side effect occurs when food moves too quickly through the small intestine. It can cause nausea, weakness, sweating, feeling faint, and even diarrhea and it usually follows eating. In addition, food moving too quickly through the small intestine cannot have all of its nutrients absorbed properly. This can result in nutritional deficiencies.

Contact a Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have been harmed because of an error committed by your surgeon during gastric bypass or follow up care, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at .