subject: Obesity Surgery: Exploring The Risks And Benefits Of Lap-band Surgery [print this page] For many people suffering from obesity, LAP-BAND surgery offers the best of all worlds: its relatively safe and effective and patients can lose 50 percent to 55 percent of their weight within two years.
However, there are some risks associated with LAP-BAND surgery. Most are due to the LAP-BAND itself, while others can be related to individual health factors, such as your age, weight, other conditions you may have, and your ability to recover from surgery.
When it comes to LAP-BAND complications, a lot of patients (roughly half) report some nausea or even vomiting while a third of all patients say theyve had some gastroesophageal reflux. Trouble swallowing, constipation, and diarrhea are also common. Many of these issues subside over time as the patient adjusts to the LAP-BAND and smaller stomach.
Occasionally, LAP-BAND surgery patients have problems with the band itself. The most common of these is slippage of the band, which happens in one out of four patients and is fairly easy to remedy. One in seven patients reports theyve had a blockage between the two sections of the stomach that are created by the band. Changes in eating habits and diet can reduce the blockage issue.
Most people who undergo LAP-BAND surgery to address obesity issues agree that the benefits of adjustable LAP-BAND surgery outweigh the risks. The biggest benefit, of course, is the ability to lose 50 percent to 55 percent of your excess weight within two years of the surgery, but there are other benefits, especially when compared to other bariatric surgery options.
Adjustable LAP-BAND surgery is minimally invasive, meaning you wont spend a lot of time in the hospital or need to rest at home for a long period of time as you heal. The incisions are extremely small. Often just a stitch or two closes them. The LAP-BAND procedure is also reversible.
As with any medical procedure, youll want to discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with your doctor.
