#08. Diabetes and Surgery
It is sad to realize that most people with diabetes (two out of three) are of working age (20 to 64 years). As physicians, we must take special care of all diabetics; hence, spreading reliable information about metabolic surgery is also our responsibility.
Does, like any surgical intervention, metabolic surgery also has side effects?
In general, there is a certain risk of complications for every operation, and for this particular upper digestive surgery the risk amounts to about 3%. Complications may include bleeding, infection, perforation, or problems related to anesthesia. In the long term, there can also occur potential problems: for example, an internal hernia, the probability of which oscillates between 1 and 7%. Another possible side effect is the emergence of gallstones. Here, the probability reaches about 10%. This, however, can be prevented by taking cholecystectomies or by using cholecystopaedic medicines. Sometimes, the problem results from an insufficient intake of vitamins and microelements. Their neglect, especially after a malpractice surgery, can quickly lead to serious health problems, therefore, a regular postoperative control is necessary.