Biliopancreatic Diversion and Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch

Risks common to all surgeries for weight loss include an infection in the incision, a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity or where the intestine is connected (resulting in an infection called Reference peritonitis Opens New Window), and a blood clot in the legs (Reference deep vein thrombosis Opens New Window, or DVT) or lung (Reference pulmonary embolism Opens New Window). Some people develop Reference gallstones Opens New Window or a nutritional deficiency condition such as Reference anemia Opens New Window or Reference osteoporosis Opens New Window.

Biliopancreatic diversion surgery has short-term and long-term risks, including:

• Dumping syndrome. This causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. These symptoms get worse if you eat highly refined, high-calorie foods (like sweets). Sometimes you may become so weak that you have to lie down until the symptoms pass.
• A higher risk of osteoporosis. This happens because your body can't absorb nutrients as well as it used to.
• Bad smelling stools and diarrhea. This can occur because of poor absorption of protein, fat, calcium, iron, and vitamins B12, A, D, E, and K.
• Poor nutrition. Eating less and less absorption may mean that you are not getting enough nutrients, which can cause health problems. You will have to take vitamin supplements for the rest of your life.

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