Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss surgery in which surgeons remove about 80% of your stomach to create a smaller gastric sleeve to replace it. It promotes weight loss by reducing appetite and food intake. While it is one of the most popular surgeries to lose weight and has many benefits, gastric sleeve surgery does have some risks that are important to consider.

Surgical Complications

Several possible complications could arise due to the surgery itself. These include breathing problems, adverse reactions to anesthesia, infection, excessive bleeding, blood clots, and leaks along the cut line of the stomach. Keep in mind that these complications are unlikely. Gastric sleeve surgeries are about as risky as other kinds of surgery. Immediately following the procedure, patients may commonly experience vomiting, nausea, or constipation as their bodies adjust to the changes.

Diet Changes

The gastric sleeve created in this surgery can only hold about four ounces of food. This means that you must dramatically change your diet after gastric sleeve surgery. Some risks come with not following the recommended diet. For example, your body will not handle certain foods for up to three months after surgery, which means you must slowly ease yourself into eating normally again. If you do not, your gastric sleeve will cause health complications. You will never be able to eat as much as you used to, and if you try to do so, you may experience vomiting, diarrhea, or even severe intestinal or stomach problems. But as long as you follow your doctors’ instructions regarding eating habits, you are not as likely to experience these issues.

Fewer Nutrients

Taking in less food naturally decreases the amount of nutrition that your body receives. Thus, malnutrition is a long-term risk of most surgeries to lose weight. Malnutrition can lead to fatigue, poor immune function, hair loss, and weak bones. It is essential to take multivitamins and nutritional supplements daily to ensure you receive the necessary nutrients to keep you alive.

Other Long-Term Risks

Other reported long-term risks include gastroesophageal reflux, gastrointestinal obstruction, low blood sugar, hernias, ulcers, and chronic nausea, and vomiting. The surgery can also make it difficult to digest certain foods, like rice, bread, or red meat. Lastly, there may be mental and social risks to the surgery. If a patient is addicted to food or struggles with binge eating, the loss of this coping mechanism may cause an addiction transfer, which is when people turn to a different form of addiction in the absence of another. 

Risks of Rapid Weight Loss

There are also some risks with the rapid weight loss that results from the surgery. These risks may occur in the first three to six months after gastric sleeve surgery. A few of those risks are gallstones, dehydration, fatigue, mood changes, sagging skin, and constipation or diarrhea. A health professional should closely monitor rapid weight loss to ensure safety and health.

You May Not Lose Weight

You may not lose weight if you do not follow post-surgery instructions. Weight loss may not occur if the gastric sleeve is made too large. Patients can also regain weight over time if they are not careful and committed to healthy eating. Gaining weight may occur after a few years because the gastric sleeve will stretch over time.

You should keep in mind that a gastric sleeve is permanent. The surgery cannot be undone if there are problems. If you have any concerns about a past or future gastric sleeve surgery, our specialists at the Bass Bariatric Surgery Center can provide guidance and quality treatment. Call us today at 925-281-3711 to learn more about your bariatric surgery options.