The type of hernia that comes as a complication of gastric bypass surgery can be extremely serious. It can also be difficult to diagnose.

Generally to treat a hernia (which usually forms at the incisions from the gastric bypass surgery) your surgeon will need to recreate the incision and then close it again. In doing so, he will push the bulge back where it belongs and create a better seal so the hernia does not occur again.

The symptoms of a hernia vary but are usually accompanied by severe abdominal pain and fever. Often the hernia will cause a bowel obstruction, so the patient is unable to have bowel movements.

Once a hernia is discovered the surgeon will take necessary steps to operate on the hernia.

Although very painful, hernias are rarely life-threatening, unless misdiagnosed or ignored.

The common symptoms of bowel obstruction are severe abdominal pain and distention, or feeling swollen in the abdominal area. Interestingly, bowel obstruction, as a complication of gastric bypass surgery, can happen long after the surgery has taken place.

The best way to treat bowel obstruction is laporoscopic surgery, especially if the bowel obstruction was caused by a hernia. In those cases the surgeon will repair the hernia, and in doing so the obstruction will be removed.

While there are definitely many types of complications associated with gastric bypass surgery, overall it is quite a safe procedure. The previous posts have mentioned those complications. However, it is important to note that complications are rare, and most of them are not life-threatening. As the surgeon explains in this video, most gastric bypass complications are mild enough that the patient can be sent home one day after surgery. If complications do arise, and they are less likely to arise as time goes on, then the patient can go back to the hospital to be examined and treated. The likelihood of the complication being life-threatening is extremely low.

As you may recall (or may need to check that other post) "anastamosis" refers to the surgical connection between the stomach and intestines or bowel. When the surgeon performs the surgery he uses sutures and staples to make that connection, and he will do his best to insure that the connection is tight and sealed. Then, it is up to the patient’s body to heal in such a way that there are no leaks.

However, sometimes the body doesn’t do exactly what it is expected to do. If the anastamosis doesn’t heal properly, then there might be some leaks. That means the fluid from the intestines can leak out and cause an infection or an abcess.

To treat anastamotic leakage, the doctor will generally prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, and with time, leak will heal itself to form a secure seal between the stomach and bowel. If that doesn’t work, additional surgery may be necessary.

It is crucial to recognize the symptoms of an anastamotic leak as it is one of the more dangerous complications of gastric bypass surgery. The symptons include:

• severe chest pain
• shortness of breath
• abdominal pain
• heart palpitations, and
• anxiety.

After having gastric bypass surgery, it is vital that the patient be aware of the various symptoms of each complication to make sure that if any of the symptoms comes up, he can call his doctor immediately to treat the problem.

First, it is important to understand what the word "anastomosis" means. According to the Wikipedia definition surgical anastomosis "is to join together two hollow organs (viscus), usually to restore continuity after resection, or to bypass an unresectable disease process." As part of gastric bypass surgery, this sort of surgical procedure must be done to the intestines.

Unfortunately, sometimes the anastomosis (or where the intestines have been rejoined together) narrows, and this can cause complications of gastric bypass surgery. This particular complication is somewhat frequent in gastric bypass surgery patients. It results in sever vomiting.

A common treatment of this complication is the insertion of an endoscopic balloon to help open the area. Most patients respond favorably to this simple procedure.

The following articles gives a detailed description of dumping syndrome and it’s causes.

Dumping Syndrome of Gastric Bypass and Weight Loss

The treatment for this particular gastric bypass complication basically boils down to diet. After gastric bypass surgery, patients are instructed to eat small meals that are low in sugar and carbohydrates. By doing so, most patients can avoid the uncomfotable experiences associated with dumping syndrome.

Many people experience ulcers after their gastric bypass surgery. As this YouTube video suggests, it is something doctors are very accustomed to dealing with. This particular gastric bypass complication often causes people to throw up bile, particularly in the middle of the night. This is because lying flat can trigger the stomach acids to irritate the ulcer and can result in vomiting.

To prevent ulcers, it is vitally important that gastric bypass surgery patients follow their post-op instructions very carefully. The instructions given after the operation are quite lengthy and should be followed for several months. Unlike some surgeries where the patient is simply expected to go home and rest for a few days, gastric bypass surgery requires the patients to be diligently disciplined in following their surgeons instructions.

Usually these instructions consist of taking the proper medications, especially the anti-reflux medications, and taking certain types of vitamins. For most people, taking the acid reducers for the prescribed amount of time will prevent ulcers from forming, but some people may need to take the medications longer. 

Doctors can often diagnose ulcers based on the symptoms, and generally an endoscopy is not necessary. Once an ulcer is diagnosed, normal ulcer-treatment is necessary. This includes certain types of medications and dietary restrictions.