Operations that treat obesity are called as major surgery, and rarely, as after all operations, they involve a number of risks. These risks also increase in direct proportion to the patient’s weight and age. The fatal risk of these methods ranges from 0.1 – 0.4%. On the other hand, a fatal surgical risk of 1-4 per thousand is a reasonable, that is, acceptable ratio if we consider the issue in terms of profit/loss ratio. All surgical procedures applied today carry certain risks. In the same way, there are similar risks in obesity surgery. However, obesity scheduled for surgery candidate for the surgery in detail, after preparing can be operated by an experienced surgical team and post-operative follow-up, if you descend to an extremely low level of risk, and bariatric surgery can be safely performed, it is possible to easily say that.
Each operation carries small or large risks within itself, as well as some risks in tube stomach surgery. The age or weight of obesity patients is among the factors that increase the risk. The risk of death of patients with tube stomach surgery ranges from 1 to 4 per thousand. This ratio can be reduced to zero when performed with a team that uses experienced and technological advances. However, in cases where patients are not treated, this risk is much higher. If any results of advanced cardiovascular disease or liver disease are reached before the operation, the patient does not undergo tube stomach surgery. Even if laparoscopy is applied, small incisions are formed in the abdominal wall during the operation. After surgery, these incisions must be constantly cleaned in accordance with hygiene rules. Otherwise, the stitched area cannot be prevented from catching germs. Germ capture of the stitched area causes the wound to heal in a longer time. It is also possible to face problems such as clot removal or lung embolism during surgery. But thanks to air pressure socks, the problem of clots in the legs can easily be minimized.
After Gastric sleeve, the body begins to experience weight loss quickly starting from the first week. Due to excessive weight loss, the body also begins to become weak in terms of minerals and vitamins. Especially vitamin D loss is observed intensively. According to all these, different problems can occur, especially hair loss. In order to minimize the damage of the reactions caused by this change experienced by the body, the body should be supplemented with vitamins taken under the control of a doctor. Digestive system problems may also occur in some of the patients who have this operation.
Although these problems vary from patient to patient, they can occur as constipation or diarrhea. Since 80% of the stomach is removed with tube stomach application, these problems observed during the process of adapting the body to the new situation disappear within a few weeks. Sagging skin problem is also one of the problems seen in almost all patients after tube stomach application. But with excessive skin removal surgery, the problem of sagging the skin can be eliminated.
The risk of embolism can be fatal, and this risk persists for 3 weeks after surgery. After obesity surgery, this risk is less than 1%. Along with them, it is the most important and serious complication; it can cause sudden death. Blood thinners and embolism socks are provided to minimize the risk of embolism, and the patient is encouraged to walk as soon as possible. Pneumonia, aspiration and lung extinction are complications of general anesthesia and are likely to be seen after all operations. In order to minimize these risks, the patient is encouraged to quit smoking, to start walking early after surgery and to do breathing exercises. Folding around scar tissue after open bariatric surgery can block small bowel transitions. Another cause of intestinal obstruction is incisional hernias.
However, problems that may occur can be repaired again laparoscopically. Wound infections can occur in all surgeries. In open surgeries, this figure is 5%.Treatment of these infections may require bandages, antibiotics, drainage, or reopening of the wound site. In infected wounds, outpatient treatment is usually provided by dressing for a long time. Patients who smoke are at risk for wound infections. Injury to the spleen and other organs; the spleen is located in the upper part of the stomach and can rarely be injured during surgery. The rate of spleen injury during laparoscopic bariatric surgery is less than 1%.When a spleen injury occurs, the operation can turn into open surgery and the spleen may need to be repaired. Pancreatitis is a rare but reported complication. These, on the other hand, rarely require surgical intervention.
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How Long Are You at Risk for A Leak After a Gastric Sleeve?
A portion of the stomach is removed during gastric sleeve surgery, also referred to as a sleeve gastrectomy, in order to reduce how much food the stomach can hold. The length of time a patient is at risk for a leak following this procedure will vary depending on a number of variables, including the patient’s individual healing process and whether they have any underlying medical conditions that could slow down their healing. It is crucial for a patient to carefully adhere to their surgeon’s post-surgery care instructions and to communicate any unusual symptoms or concerns to their healthcare team.
Is gastric sleeve a high-risk surgery?
Gastric sleeve surgery is an operation in the low-intermediate risk group among all surgeries. This surgery has no harm in the long term. If the patient does not pay attention to his diet, he may have difficulties losing weight, face nutritional difficulties, and even gain weight. In obesity surgery treatments, it is the most demanded and most applied surgery. As with any surgical procedure, gastric tube surgery has certain risks and complications. The most feared risk during the operation, in the early process after the operation and in the long-term process after the operation is the development of leakage.
What are the chances of dying from gastric sleeve?
If we look at obesity operations in general, the risk of death is between one in 1 thousand and four in 4 thousand. By comparison, the universally predicted mortality rate in coronary bypass surgery is two and a half percent. This means that a center performs a hundred coronary bypass operations a year, of which 2 or 3 can lose their lives. This is within a statistically acceptable limit. But death above this rate can, of course, make this center questionable.
References:
https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/unforeseen-consequences-bariatric-surgery-side-effects/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3788014/
