You have decided to have obesity surgery and you have shared this situation with family members or close friends. You can usually get an answer like this: “You don't need surgery. You are not that fat. You can deal with this naturally. If you could hold your throat a little, you would lose weight very easily.” Actually, the person who has a weight problem knows best. Not everyone knows or understands how long you've been on countless diets and gaining weight again.
They just think you can't make it. If they knew, the rate of permanent weight loss with diets does not exceed 3-5% . If they only knew how long you've been fighting, how tired you are. In fact, they are right in a way. You are their only child, their best friend. They are afraid because it is called surgery. In fact, the bad stories and misinformation they hear from the environment are the things that push them to act like this.
These surgeries are now very common, they are done almost everywhere. Because obesity is an increasing problem all over the world and this problem has increased during the covid pandemic period. You can hear and see the following news from the media, newspapers and your immediate surroundings: “Our downstairs neighbor had stomach reduction surgery . It was a leak and died a month later.” It should be said right away that the risk of these surgeries in experienced hands is as much as gallbladder surgery. So it's very low.
What is the Risk of Obesity Surgery?
Studies in this area indicate that obesity surgeries carry a risk of death of 1/1000 , and this risk is much lower (1/5000) especially in young patients who have never had an operation before. It should also be noted that, unfortunately, there is no risk-free venture in the field of health. A small risk to take and gains to be made.
This is what those who love you need to understand, this is what needs to be told to them. Let's consider the sleeve gastrectomy, which is the most commonly performed obesity surgery method in the world and in our country. Gastric sleeve gastrectomy (stomach reduction) surgery has 2 important complications: Leakage and bleeding. Studies have shown that both complications can be seen at a rate of 1-2% . In 90% of leaks and bleeding, the line where the stomach is stapled and cut with special devices called staplers is seen.
Leaks are usually at the top of the stomach. In order to minimize these complications, we staple and cut the stomach with a stapler and suture this line laparoscopically . We can briefly call this the double stitching method . We think that this is effective in preventing bleeding and leaks, and we apply this to every patient. Plane crashes are always in the news, but that doesn't change the fact that planes are still the safest mode of transport.
You were more likely to die from a mule kicking you than in a plane crash. (I watched it in a documentary) I actually want to give the following message here.
Obesity itself brings an increased risk for all open and closed surgeries in general . Let's say you are fat and have appendicitis. You will have to have surgery. If you don't, the infection will spread into the abdomen and threaten your life. The risk of appendicitis surgery in obese is higher than that of obesity surgery . Did you know that?
What are the Possible Complications of Tube Stomach Surgery?
Leakage: The stomach remaining from the tissue that was cut and removed during the surgery is closed with the help of staplers. Suturing a hollow organ in this way can cause problems such as bleeding from the pressure increase or leakage from the staple line. Leaks, seen at a rate of 1-2% , can be closed by cessation of oral feeding and intravenous nutrition therapy.
Gastroesophageal reflux : It is the reflux of fluid in the stomach into the esophagus. Acids and gastric secretions cause irritation in the esophagus. This causes burning behind the chest wall and very uncomfortable complaints. It is tried to be alleviated with medication.
Gastric fistula : The opening in your digestive system that causes gastric juices to leak from your stomach or intestines. When these fluids leak into your organs, they can cause an infection. Treatment is always surgical.
Stoma stenosis : Gastric reduction surgery can cause stenosis. A stoma is the passage between the stomach and intestines. For its treatment, it is tried to pass with an orally advanced dilator. Surgery may be required as a second option.
Surgical site hernias : Hernias can be seen at the wound site in 15% of the patients. This risk is low in laparoscopic surgeries.
Mineral and vitamin malabsorption: this can cause iron deficiency and anemia. B12 deficiency can cause neurological diseases. Disorders in the absorption of phosphate, calcium and oxalates cause kidney stones. Vitamin D absorption disorders also cause various bone diseases.
Other complications:
- Microbial infections
- deep vein thrombosis
- Hair loss
- thinning hair
- psychological problems
- Fatigue
- skin dryness
