The Complications

When any abdominal surgery is done, complications can occur. Before, during, and after surgery, many precautions are taken to prevent complications. Your cooperation in trying to prevent problems can be very beneficial. Cooperating, such as to stop smoking prior to surgery, walking afterwards, deep breathing, and following dietary instructions can be very helpful in faster, smoother recuperation. Listed below are some of the complication that could occur.

Early Complications:

• Anastomotic Leak - a leak where the "pouch" and the small bowel are connected
• Wound Infection
• Wound Dehiscence - when the abdominal incision opens
• Pulmonary Embolism - a serious blood clot to the lung
• Atelectasis - collapsed lung 
• Pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs
• Pulmonary Effusion - fluid in the lungs
• Urinary Tract Infection 
• Phlebitis - formation of blood clots in the legs 
• Edema of Anastomosis - swelling at the "stoma", the opening between the stomach and the small bowel
• Post-Operative Bleeding
• Death - usually due to pulmonary embolism  or undetected anastamotic leak (a leak where the intestines or stomach are connected).

Late Complications:

• Incisional Hernia - a rupture of the tissues at the incision
• Gastritis - irritation of the "pouch"
• Cholelithiasis - gallstones 
• Dumping - rapid emptying of the "pouch" creating  weakness and sweating after eating, can be caused by sugar ingestion
• Phlebitis - blood clots in the legs
• Hair Thinning - See page named "A Side Effect"
• Dehydration - loss of water from the body tissues
• Metabolic abnormalities* --- such as:  

        anemia - low blood count, iron deficiency (most common complication)

  hypokalemia from diuretics - low potassium from water pills

• Death - usually due to pulmonary embolus

*Blood tests should be done to evaluate deficiencies every six months for two years, and then yearly.