Lap Band Complications

Lap band surgery is one of the popular forms of bariatric surgeries that is less invasive and is fully reversible. As compared to other forms of bariatric weight loss surgeries, lap band procedure is said to cause less complications and risks. However, these complications cannot be totally ruled out. It is better to have a basic know-how about the procedure, so as to understand the risks and side effects associated with it. Read on to know more about various lap band complications.

Lap Band Surgery

As mentioned above, lap band surgery is performed on people, who are extremely obese, especially, those with medical conditions that can be relieved through weight loss. However, this surgery is not performed on all obese people, but only on those, who are fit for the procedure, as per lap band surgery requirements. While lap band surgery is mostly performed laparoscopically, some cases require open surgery. In case of lap band surgery, an inflatable silicone ring is positioned around the top part of the stomach, so as to create a small pouch-like part.

After the surgery, this pouch or stoma, serves the purpose of the stomach. As it can hold very less food, when compared to the normal stomach, the person consumes very less amount of food. The pouch is created by securing the band around the stomach and this band allows a very slow movement of food from the stoma to the remaining part of the stomach, leaving the person with a full sensation that in turn leads to less food consumption. All these factors lead to weight loss. Lap band procedure is said to be less complicated as there is no cutting or stapling of the stomach. However, there are some possibilities of lap band complications, that are listed below.

Lap Band Surgery Complications

Now you know that lap band surgery, otherwise known as adjustable gastric banding procedure, involves an adjustable silicone ring that is secured around the stomach. Once the ring is secured around the stomach, during the surgery, it has to be readjusted several times, before achieving an ideal position. This adjustments are done by inflating the ring with saline solution, introduced through a port, embedded on the abdomen of the person. Inflation of the ring, decreases the size of the opening from the stoma to the remaining portion of the stomach, whereas deflation increases its size. As the size of the opening increases, the food particles move fast out of the stoma and this movement is limited by decreasing the size of the opening.

This surgery has to be followed by a strict lap band diet, so as to avoid some complications and for achieving weight loss. Even though, it is one of the effective and popular bariatric surgeries and is less invasive, lap band complications may happen in some cases. Let us take a look at some of the gastric lap band complications.

Surgical Complications: While some of the complications can be caused by the surgery itself, others may be due to the specific procedure involved in the surgery. As in many other surgeries, lap band procedure may also cause bleeding, formation of blood clots, tear of stomach wall and even death. Complications like, damage to other internal organs like, spleen, liver, etc. stomach or esophageal perforation, harm to major blood vessels, etc. can be caused by the laparoscopic form of surgery. Lap band surgery: complications and failure include symptoms that can be experienced in the whole body or those specific parts related to the lap band and stomach.

Specific Complications: Specific post lap band surgery complications include gastritis, ulcers, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, difficulty in swallowing, dehydration, weight regain, etc. As far as the lap band is concerned, the equipment (silicone ring) may cause some complications like, sudden deflation. It may also slip from its position and enlarge the size of the stoma. In some cases, the band may erode into the stomach tissues or may cause some reactions, as the body fails to get adjusted to this foreign body. Even the opening from the stoma to the rest of the stomach may get blocked due to swelling caused by the band or by food. The slippage of the band or twisting of the stoma may also result in lap band complication. General lap band complications symptoms include pain in the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, fever, chest pain, infection, weakness, etc. Malnutrition, hair loss, etc. are long term lap band complications.

Now, you know about post lap band complications that can range between mild, moderate and severe. It has been observed that the chances of developing lap band complications enhance with age, rate of obesity and other serious medical conditions. So, it is always better to discuss these risks (with your doctor), if you are contemplating this surgical procedure as an option for losing weight and relieving related medical conditions. It is advisable to try other weight loss methods, before resorting to surgical measures.