In an unfortunate incident, a woman in Meerut, UP passed away after she underwent weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery at a private hospital. The woman, Rajni Gupta, 55, was around 123 kgs at the time of admission, and was told she will lose 30 kgs in a span of just 24 hours! However, the procedure reportedly went horribly wrong, leading to a leak in her abdomen, which led to a fatal infection. The family has now filed a complaint at the Medical Police Station.
What is bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight-loss surgery, is a group of procedures that modify the digestive system to help people with obesity lose weight. Like other procedures, this one too, carries specific risks, along with potential complications. Let’s take a look at the risks…
Surgical and Anesthesia-Related Risks
Bariatric surgery requires anesthesia to put you under sleep, but it can produce additional side effects or surgical complications. The anesthesia may trigger allergic reactions, or cause breathing issues as well as other complications, which stem from the anesthesia itself.During surgery, there always exists a danger of excessive blood loss. Some patients will experience light bleeding, but others may experience severe bleeding that needs additional surgery along with blood transfusions. The surgery site along with lungs and urinary tract, can develop infections which sometimes progress to serious health complications.
Problems with the Stomach or Intestines
The structural changes made to stomach and intestine sizes and forms through bariatric surgery, produce certain particular complications. The primary dangerous complication in this procedure occurs when parts of the stomach or intestine join improperly through stitching or stapling, leading to a leak. When a leak occurs (like in this case), it allows stomach acid and digestive enzymes to escape into the abdominal cavity which creates infections that could be serious.The formation of intestinal blockages, together with stomach narrowing is known as stricture. The narrowed section makes it challenging to swallow solid food while causing eating discomfort, which leads to nausea and vomiting.
After undergoing surgery some patients also develop ulcers, which form inside their stomach or intestine. The formation of ulcers in surgical areas can lead to pain or bleeding, and might need medical intervention.
Risk of Blood Clots and Lung Problems
People who undergo weight loss surgery become more susceptible to developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots in their legs. The movement of blood clots from the legs to lungs, can result in pulmonary embolism which presents a deadly threat to patients.A prolonged period of immobility before and after surgery, elevates the risk of developing blood clots. This apart, the lungs face various complications after surgical procedures. The condition known as atelectasis, which leads to lung collapse, appears frequently among pre-obese patients undergoing surgery. The use of deep breathing exercises and coughing techniques prevents fever, pneumonia and breathing difficulties.
Long-Term Nutritional Deficiencies and Dumping Syndrome
The reduced stomach size following bariatric surgery alongside changes to digestive processes, results in nutritional issues which may appear after a period. The human body shows decreased ability to absorb essential nutrients such as iron and calcium, alongside vitamins B12 and D. Health issues such as anemia along with osteoporosis and fatigue emerge when patients fail to monitor their deficiencies.After bariatric surgery, patients frequently develop dumping syndrome, because food passes too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. The rapid movement of food causes symptoms including nausea, dizziness, sweating and diarrhea that usually appear following consumption of sweets, and large portions.
This apart, some other risks are
Acid reflux or heartburnChronic nausea and vomitingDilation (widening) of the esophagusThe inability to eat specific food types or any food at all exists as a possible complication.The risk of developing gallstones becomes greater when people lose weight quickly.Sources UPMC Bariatrics – Risks and Complications Cleveland Clinic – Risks and Complications of Bariatric Surgery Venkateshwar Hospitals – Side Effects of Weight Loss Surgery NIH/NIDDK – Weight-loss Surgery Side Effects NYU Langone – Risks and Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery NHS – Complications of Weight Loss SurgeryDisclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
