Patients should be alert for obesity surgery complication - ThinnerTimes

Gladitsme · 03-13-2007, 05:03 PM

This press release issued by Eurekalert says that it is important for obesity surgery patients to take their prescribed vitamin supplements and to be alert for symptoms such as vomiting, confusion, lack of coordination and visual changes – signs of a serious neurological condition that can develop after the surgery.
"There are more than 1,70,000 obesity surgeries performed annually in the United States and this neurologic condition, known as Wernicke encephalopathy, is increasingly being reported after the operation," said Sonal Singh, M.D., lead author and an instructor in internal medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Wernicke encephalopathy is caused by a deficiency of thiamine and is often associated with severe alcoholism or chronic malnutrition. In obesity surgery patients, it can develop when patients stop taking their vitamin supplements, or when frequent vomiting prevents the vitamins from being absorbed. Vomiting can also occur after the surgery either as a complication of the procedure or if patients eat more than their stomachs can hold – the surgery reduces the organ to the size of an egg.
Because little information is available on Wernicke encephalopathy after bariatric surgery, the researchers conducted a review of medical literature to learn when it occurs, risk factors and symptoms. Their report is published in the March 13th issue of Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The researchers identified 32 cases of Wernicke encephalopathy after obesity surgery, 27 involving women. Singh said it isn't clear if the condition is more common in women, or if there were more cases in women because 75 percent of obesity surgery patients are female.
The syndrome can occur after all types of bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass, the most common type, as well as after surgery to "band" the stomach and a procedure known as gastric partitioning that divides the stomach into two parts.
Most cases of Wernicke encephalopathy occurred from four to 12 weeks after the surgery, although one case occurred 18 months later. Most patients (25) had vomiting as a risk factor. Many of the patients also had three symptoms commonly associated with the syndrome: confusion, lack of coordination and rapid, rhythmic eye movement. Several patients had other uncommon symptoms including weakness, seizures, deafness and numbness of the arms and legs.
"Patients and doctors should be most alert for symptoms in the first few weeks after surgery," said Singh. "Vomiting is a predisposing factor in most patients."
Most patients were treated with intravenous thiamine and made a complete recovery. However, some patients continued to have memory problems, lack of coordination and visual changes.
In 2005, an estimated 170,000 obesity surgeries were performed in the United States, up from 120,000 in 2004. In 1992, only 16,000 of the operations were performed. Singh said the frequency of the surgery makes it important to conduct studies to learn about the prevalence of the problem and how it can be prevented. For example, some physicians have advocated that patients receive thiamine injections.

ceekerr · 03-13-2007, 05:10 PM

Very good information, Nancy. Thanks for the post!

Rachel · 03-13-2007, 05:17 PM

Thank you so much for the information. I am going to have to look into that a little more.

mauldinmama · 03-13-2007, 05:44 PM

Thank you for posting that info...I am going to mention it to my doctor!

bloomer001 · 03-13-2007, 06:47 PM

I know I have said it before, but this has to be the best place around. Not only are we there for each other, but the information we pass between us all, keeps us more informed and better able to take care of ourselves than anyone!

Thanks for the information! I know it is a little longer than it should be, but I am going to ask my doctor. I have been to my surgeon twice now for confusion, tiredness, being unable to concentrate, dizziness, and muscle weakness. My surgeon has never even ordered bloodwork, she just tells me "These all seem like they could be a vitamin or mineral deficency, you need to see your PCP and have them do some bloodwork" My PCP has spent the last 2 weeks pouring over information she can find and the stuff I bring her from here, and asking other doctors to get information on what bloodwork I need. I got the bloodwork done and we should know something soon.

jsomeonel · 03-13-2007, 08:16 PM

holy.....dang. Those vitamins are extremely important.

I wonder if they have or willl conduct research on young gastric bypass patients like myself? I mean, I'm virtually a guinea pig for that kind of study since I just got the surgery b arely turning 20 years of age.

im scared now....

Gladitsme · 03-13-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsomeonel

holy.....dang. Those vitamins are extremely important.

I wonder if they have or willl conduct research on young gastric bypass patients like myself? I mean, I'm virtually a guinea pig for that kind of study since I just got the surgery b arely turning 20 years of age.

im scared now....

That's why they tell you to be sure to take the vitamins, Kelly told me to take B100 tablets every day.

richyrich · 03-13-2007, 08:34 PM

Great post!! Thanks for the info

chilmoe · 03-13-2007, 09:26 PM

omg thank you for the info i have had the symptoms you talk about confusion, lack of coordination and rapid, rhythmic eye movement and weakness, and numbness of the legs. My doc has treated me for inner ear, but the symptoms have not gone away the dizziness is not as bad, but my head feels fuzzy and he had said my eyes were jumping and they still do that, i see him tomorrow, will have to mention this, wow thank you for taking care of us, so glad when peeps share info like this.

CeeCee · 03-14-2007, 07:01 AM

Yikes! I was feeling bad for missing my multi just one day this week! This article will keep me honest! (Don't want to lose whats left of my mind, you know!

)

Thank you!