New studies have revealed that weight-loss surgeries are linked to gastrointestinal problems and issues with food intolerance. Researchers conducted tests on more than 200 individuals who had undergone gastric bypass surgery and discovered that many of them experienced severe cases of indigestion.
According to Reuters, while in a span of two years the patients had lost more than 30 percent of their body fat, they became prone to indigestion. Also, they were unable to handle complex types of foods.
The individuals in the study were obese individuals who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The procedure involves reducing the size of the stomach to almost half its original size. Researchers discovered that patients in the control groups in the study who had not undergone gastric surgery were less likely to face digestion issues.
The lead author of the study Dr. Thomas Boerlage noted that previous studies had suggested a possible risk of gastrointestinal symptoms following surgery. Dr. Boerlage added that most studies confine their results to the first year following surgery and not after that.
The study was conducted in 2012, and each patient was 45-years-old. Close to half of the individuals who participated in the study had diabetes and high blood pressure. The scientists found out that those in the post-operative group had on average about two symptoms of gastrointestinal problems.Those in the control group had on average one symptom.
According to the Daily Mail, post surgery patients often complained about certain foods being difficult to digest. Those included cakes, pies, pastries, carbonated drinks, and fried foods. Some also reported being unable to consume spicy food.
The study did not find any links between weight loss during the study and the frequency of the food intolerance issues. The limitations of the study included the lack of data on patient symptoms before the surgery about digestive and gastrointestinal issues.
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