Risks of Lap Band Surgery

Mechanism behind a Lap band surgery

A Lap Band is a silicone belt that goes around the top of the stomach. Lap Band surgery is one in which such a band is placed dividing the stomach into two parts with the upper part forming a pouch connected to the lower part through anarrow passage. It is a weight loss surgery like gastric bypass surgery.

The pouch gets filled up with a mall amount of time. The food which gets deposited in the pouch, takes time to empty into the stomach thereby reducing the craving for food.

Who are the clients of Lap band surgery?

If the body mass index (BMI), is between 35 and 39, then there are several associated medical problems like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol. These are called the co-morbid conditions which make the patient an ideal case to go for the Lap Band.

Weight loss history is recorded by many insurance companies with varying stringent measures.

How the surgery is done?

With the help of a small camera, called a laparoscope, the gas band is placed around the stomach, with the pipe emptying into a port, the port being placed below the abdomen. This takes just an overnight stay.

When saline is injected more into the gas band, the narrow passage becomes still narrow further restricting the food flow.

After Lap Band Surgery: Aftercare

One needs to follow a nutrition plan including vitamin supplements prescribed by the surgeon or nutritionist. The nutrition plan may be of liquid diet for some weeks, until soft foods can be tolerated and solid foods ultimately.

A specific exercise program, may also be taken up.

The surgeon has to check the patient many times to properly adjust or his/her band. As times go, a patient requires six to eight such adjustments during the first 18 months of the surgery.
Patients typically lose 50% to 60% of their excess body weight within two years after the procedure. Additional plastic surgery may be indicated, depending on how much weight is lost.

Lap Band Complications

Slippage of band: This can occur as weight loss happens. When the stomach goes above the band, heartburn and vomiting may happen. This has to be laparoscopically fixed.

Erosion of band: Sometimes the band can erode into the inside of the stomach.

Deflation of the band: The band can have leakage which can deflate it which can happen on the band, the port, or the tube connecting both. As a result the stomach pouch can get enlarged defeating the purpose of having the pouch.

Blockage of the stoma: The narrow passage can get blocked at times because of its being too narrow.

Consult a Qualified Surgeon

Losing weight without being malnourished is something which needs qualified guidance. This is critical to the success of having the surgery. One can avoid complications, and weight loss can be achieved according to one’s desire.

It is good that the surgeon verifies the number of procedures undertaken by him, and to increase one’s own knowledge about further examination so that office support in case of emergency can be requisitioned.