Weight loss surgery is a huge decision. It doesn’t just impact your weight; it has a permanent effect on how you eat and stay hydrated. Certain weight loss surgeries require lifelong medications, and others can cause potentially life-threatening consequences. To help you understand the difficulties of staying healthy after weight loss surgery, we need to examine four often overlooked realities of these procedures.
Chewing
Weight loss surgery doesn’t just make your stomach pouch smaller; it makes the opening of your stomach smaller as well. That means anyone who has had weight loss surgery needs to be sure they have thoroughly chewed every bite before swallowing. Accidentally swallowing a large piece of food that would have previously been no issue could lead to discomfort, vomiting, or food becoming stuck in your esophagus.
Hydration
After weight-loss surgery, it can be extremely difficult to stay hydrated. That’s because your body’s water needs haven’t changed, even though drinking water makes you feel full much faster. Generally, it’s advised that people who have had bariatric surgery actively work to drink at least 8 cups (64oz) of water per day.
Nutrition
As we discussed previously, a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery limits your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12. That can lead to a number of potentially life-threatening complications, including brain damage. For that reason, anyone who has had either gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery will need to regularly take vitamin supplements for the rest of their lives to prevent the development of dangerous conditions.
Complications
While recovering from surgery, it’s important to watch for signs of infection or other life-threatening complications. An improper bariatric surgery can quickly lead to nerve damage, peritonitis (an infection of the intestines), or sepsis.
These conditions are usually the result of medical negligence rather than errors in self-care. If you suspect you have any of these conditions shortly after weight loss surgery, go to the emergency room immediately and then consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.
At Simonson Goodman Platzer PC our attorneys have more than 40 years of experience in medical malpractice law and have a 98% success rate in getting compensation for our clients. Reach out today for a free consultation at