Weight Loss Surgery for Low BMI – Possible Complications to Know

Low BMI surgery is considered safe to help obese patients to lose weight fast. It is one of the latest and approved surgeries for losing weight. Though it is rare, some complications are linked to this medical procedure. Knowing the post-surgery effects will help you to get prepared better. Learn more about the possible complications that come with weight loss surgery for low BMI on the following page.

1. Stomach Leak

This rare complication is quite severe. A stomach leak happens when there is a gap between the staple line and stomach juice after the surgery, causing a leak in the abdominal cavity. Some of the common symptoms related to stomach leaks include abdominal pain, left chest pain, fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. You will need to have another surgery to overcome this issue. This medical procedure is aimed to prevent further complications such as multiple organ failure, severe infection, and ultimately death.

2. Blood Clots

This is another rare complication of gastric sleeve surgery. Blood clots are a fatal complication, so you need to be careful when experiencing the signs. Patients with obesity can develop clots in their legs after surgery. When the clots break off, they can reach your lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. To avoid this complication, a blood thinner will be given to obese patients before this medical procedure. The patients are also recommended to stay active after that.

3. Abdominal Abscess

An abdominal abscess is one of the complications linked to weight loss surgery for low BMI. This complication usually comes with a collection of pus in the abdominal cavity area. The symptoms that often develop in the abdominal abscess include fever, rapid heart rate, and vomiting. The possible treatments given to patients who are experiencing abdominal abscess after surgery are oral antibiotics and draining of the pus.

4. Stenosis

Stenosis is often shown by the narrowing stomach that occurs after the surgery. This condition can be the result of excessive scarring. When stenosis occurs, the symptoms shown include the inability to tolerate solid foods, especially the first months after the surgery. Dilation is often recommended to treat patients with stenosis complications.

5. Wound Infections

Wound infections commonly occur a week after the weight loss surgery for low BMI. The symptoms that show you have wound infections include fever and redness of the wound. Sometimes, patients will also experience thickening of the skin. To overcome the problems, patients are given some effective treatments, including oral antibiotics and cleaning the wound.

Final Words

As with any surgery, some risks might occur after weight loss surgery for low BMI, even though it is considered a safe and effective method to fight obesity. Complications in this medical procedure itself are even rare to happen. Some complications often associated with this gastric sleeve can happen soon after the surgery. But there are also some cases where the complications are found months after the procedure is completed. In this way, patients are suggested to monitor their conditions closely and contact their doctors soon if these signs occur.