Weight-loss Surgery: Side Effects

Back in January, Al Roker admitted to having an “unfortunate” accident at the white house. In interviews following, it was established that the myriad of side effects of weight-loss surgery are often swept under the rug.  You frequently see the positives of weight-loss surgery discussed and the amazing transformations. But rarely do you hear about the side effects of such a drastic lifestyle change. When researching if bariatric surgery is the right choice for your weight-loss needs it’s important to see all sides.

Possible side effects of weight-loss surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Nausea and Vomiting –Nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort are usually due to one or more of the following.
  • Eating too quickly
  • Taking too large of bites
  • Not chewing enough before swallowing
  • Consuming too large a volume at one time
  • Eating foods that are two dry or tough
• Dehydration – It’s important to drink two liters of water a day. It may be difficult the first few weeks but dehydration can lead to nausea and vomiting. Also, vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
• Food Intolerance – Patients may be intolerant to some foods after gastric bypass surgery. Foods that are dry, sticky, gummy or stringy present the biggest problems.
• Dumping Syndrome – Dumping syndrome is a condition that can occur as the result of rapid emptying of the stomach contents into the small intestine. This is triggered when too much sugar or very greasy foods are consumed.
• Changed Bowel Habits – Patients post-surgery may have smaller and fewer bowel movements, and constipation is quite common.
• Cold Intolerance - Many patients feel “cold” after they begin losing weight. This is due to a change in metabolism and a loss of insulation body fat.
• Vitamin Deficiency 

The severity of side effects depends on the type of surgery, so it is best to speak with your doctor before committing to any particular procedure. Understanding more about the surgery, the positives and negatives, and talking to your bariatric surgeon will help you to effectively manage any weight-loss surgery side effects.

Bariatric Surgery Centers, such as the FirstHealth Bariatric Center in Pinehurst, NC, offer weight-loss surgery information sessions as a source of knowledge for people who are interested in bariatric surgery. These information sessions provide an opportunity for future patients to ask questions, talk to the physician and hear bariatric surgery success stories. This is a good opportunity to discuss the possible side effects.

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Bariatric Center offers weight-loss treatments and support to patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond.