The Importance of Continuing with Follow-Up Visits Following Weight-Loss Surgery

According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), as much as 64% of adults over 18 are either overweight or obese. With such astounding figures, more and more seriously obese people are resorting to weight loss surgery in order to lose their excess weight. However, because of the seriousness of surgical weight loss, many people need to consider this method of weight loss more carefully because of potential long-term effects. Some people only think about the immediate results that they will achieve by having weight loss surgery, and after reaching their goal weight, many will fail to continue to see their surgeon, although it is a requirement. Almost all surgical weight loss programs require a life-long commitment to follow-up care. After surgery, patients need to see their surgeons one week later, one month later, one year later, and each subsequent year. Failure to do so can result in irreversible problems, some which are highlighted below.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies - Since surgeries like the gastric bypass and duodenal switch can alter the endocrine system, changing how vitamins and minerals are absorbed, it is quite common for people who have undergone these surgeries to suffer from some type of vitamin or mineral deficiency. Deficiencies of important vitamins like B-12 can result in permanent neurological problems such as tingling of the arms and legs, memory loss, disorientation as well as dementia. The longer a person has suffered from neurological problems as a result of a vitamin B deficiency, the less likely the symptoms can be reversed. Some people may feel that their regular physician can properly monitor them after surgery, but many family physicians or internists aren't as thorough when it comes to the extensive panel of blood tests that must be run annually.

Gallstones - It doesn't matter which type of weight loss surgery a person chooses, anytime someone loses a large amount of weight in a rapid manner, it increases his or her chances of developing gallstones, often making it necessary to remove the gallbladder. Many bariatric surgeons in the past used to routinely remove patients' gallbladders during the surgical weight loss procedure, but after realizing that it was unnecessary, many bariatric surgeons no longer do this. This is why it's extremely important that you're monitored on a regular basis following weight loss surgery to ensure that you don't require the removal of your gallbladder sometime following your surgery.

Hypoglycemia - hypoglycemia is a condition when the blood glucose levels become too low. In a small number of gastric bypass surgery patients, the pancreas begins to malfunction, causing large quantities of insulin to be released following meals, resulting in hypoglycemia. Untreated hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, loss of consciousness and even death, which is why it's imperative that you're tested regularly for this condition following weight loss surgery.

Stomach ulcers - Most surgeons give preventative medications following weight loss surgery, but sometimes this isn't enough to prevent some peptic and even bleeding ulcers in some post-gastric bypass patients. Only regular checkups can catch this potential problem early and prevent it from becoming a more serious problem if it does develop.

Incision-area hernia - Although most incision-area hernia usually only occur following an open gastric bypass (or other type of weight loss surgery), there have still been some instances in which patients who had laparoscopic surgery have developed this type of hernia. Internal hernias can lead to bowel obstructions, which without treatment can be deadly.

Staple line failure - In those who undergo gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or duodenal switch weight loss surgeries, it is possible to suffer from a gastric leak, or staple line failure, in which the contents of the stomach leak into the body . A staple line failure can be fatal if not promptly diagnosed and treated and doesn't necessary happen immediately following surgery, which is why you'll definitely want to see your surgeon regularly.

In addition to the possible complications highlighted in this article, there are many other possible long-term complications associated with weight loss surgery. If you're planning to have or have already had some type of surgical weight loss procedure, take your surgeon's advice and make sure that you continue your follow-up visits for the rest of your life in order to maintain your health. If your surgeon retires or goes out of business for some other reason, there are many other surgeons willing to provide your follow-up care.

Sources:　

Center For Disease Control Obesity Statistical Information - www.cdc.gov/obesity/

United States National Library of Medicine - hypoglycemia after gastric bypass surgery www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18438618

CBS News: Gastric Bypass Gone Bad - www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/21/earlyshow/contributors/melindamurphy/main668323.shtml

Mayo Clinic: Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery - www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass/MY00825/DSECTION=risks

Annals of Surgery - Long-term effects of surgical weight loss - www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570540/