Gastric sleeve surgery, or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, has many unwanted side effects that range from mild discomfort to requiring surgery. Gastric sleeve surgery is a relatively safe bariatric procedure that has been gaining in popularity and acceptance. One of the main advantages of gastric sleeve surgery is that it’s expected weight-loss is comparable to gastric bypass surgery, yet it’s relative risks are a lot less.
Mild to Moderate Side Effects
One of the common side effects of gastric sleeve surgery is vomiting, diarrhea and dumping syndrome. Vomiting can be caused by an improper diet, or because an existing issue like acid reflux. Vomiting can be a severe side effect and patients may need to see a physician. Another unpleasant, but common, side effect is diarrhea.
Dumping syndrome is a very common issue with gastric sleeve, one of the common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Dumping syndrome, or rapid gastric emptying, is caused when patients eat food too fast, causing the food to pass through the stomach and into the intestine undigested. It’s important to note, that even though dumping syndrome is extremely common, it is completely avoidable. Eating slowly, chewing your food, and following your bariatric surgeon’s dietary recommendations will help to avoid this issue. Like dumping syndrome, most complications can be avoided by sticking to your physician’s recommendations.
Sometimes the stomach pouch may stretch due to inadvised dieting. Stomach stretching may be caused by eating too much, which can lead to stomach leakage.
Severe Side Effects
Sometimes major complications can arise like cancer and esophagus issues. This is extremely dangerous, especially because your new stomach is only 15% as big as it was.
Leaks and bleeding along the new stomach may occur as the result of the stomach pouch extending. This can be a serious risk, if not tended to quickly. Another possible side effect that can pose a significant risk is infections.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Expectations
Weigh-loss expectations can be another side effect of gastric sleeve surgery. The issue of unpleasing weight-loss occasionally arises with gastric sleeve, and all other bariatric surgeries. Sometimes patients weight-loss is not what they’re expecting. This can be the patients fault for not sticking to their exercise and diet regimen, or it can be something unrelated.
To really understand all of the possible complications and side effects, it’s important to talk to a bariatric surgeon. Individuals may be at an increase risk of side effects due to their current health standing. ALighterMe works with some of the best surgeons in Mexico and already has dozens of gastric sleeve success stories. Contact us today to further discuss gastric sleeve surgery.