WHAT ARE MY RISKS WITH THE BYPASS PROCEDURE?
Risks can be classified as intraoperative (during the operation), early postoperative (first week), and late postoperative (after leaving the hospital). • Intraoperative risks Intraoperative risks are similar to that for any surgery. They involve risks related to the anesthesia, bleeding that may require transfusions, and injury to surrounding abdominal structures that can occur with surgery. Most of these injuries are non-life threatening, but may delay your recovery significantly. • Early postoperative risks Early postoperative risks may include death, bleeding, wound or intra-abdominal infection, lung problems including pneumonia, heart problems including heart attack, and blood clots. One of the more serious and recognized problems with this surgery is called anastomotic leak. Any place that the bowel is cut and then fashioned back together is called an anastomosis. A leak of bowel contents is possible from any of these places. Leaks may be managed with bowel rest (nothing to eat)
