Bariatric Surgery Ulcers

ULCERS & BARIATRIC SURGERY
Bariatric surgery and related weight-loss procedures have become immensely popular in recent years, as ever-increasing numbers of the severely obese have been turning to such operations when traditional diet and exercise plans fail. According to most experts, over 100,000 individuals who were at least 100 pounds over their target weight or had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35-40 or higher underwent either gastric bypass or lap-band surgery last year. Each person is carefully screened before being permitted to undergo this type of operation, yet from time to time, complications can arise.

One of the more common and more dangerous side effects is the occurrence of a bleeding ulcer after weight loss surgery. An ulcer can develop in up to 3% of those patients who undergo a bariatric procedure. They can form at the point where the newly created stomach pouch connects with the bowels. What symptoms are typical of bariatric surgery related ulcers? Severe stomach pain when eating or the presence of blood in the stool are strong indicators. To help correct this problem, doctors perform a procedure known as an upper endoscopy and place the patient on long-term anti-ulcer medicine. The occurrence of ulcers is more common in smokers as well as those who regularly take anti-arthritis medication.

An upper endoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor numbs the patients throat and then has the patient swallow a narrow, flexible tube with a light on the end called an endoscope. The score transmits an image of the abdomen blows air into the stomach to expand tissue folds. This makes it easier for the doctor to look for abnormalities, such as inflamed areas or hemorrhaging. The doctor conducts the upper endoscopy for a pair of reasons. First, because the presence of an ulcer may not be detected by an x-ray. Second, even if an ulcer is found by on an x-ray, an endoscopy can allow the doctor to see the problem in greater detail and find out exactly what is wrong.

Then the patient will be placed on long-term medication to help alleviate the ulcer symptoms. These anti-ulcer drugs work by reducing acid produced in the stomach, which alleviated pain and indigestion and helps promote healing. They can also help eliminate bacteria and can provide bismuth to help coat and protect the ulcer. Among the most popular types of ulcer medications are ranitidine, cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, proton pump inhibitors, bismuth, sucralfate and misoprostol. Antibiotics can also be prescribed in certain situations.