Lap Band Surgery Risks

Lap band surgery is one of the popular forms of bariatric weight loss surgeries. Usually, this surgery is done laparoscopically and so only a few tiny incisions are made. Apart from that, this surgery does not involve any cutting or stapling of the digestive tract. So, it is said that lap band surgery risks are minimal. However, this may not be true in case of each and every person, who has undergone this surgery.

More About Lap Band Surgery

During the lap band procedure, an inflatable silicone ring is secured around the upper part of the stomach. As a result, a small pouch is formed and this pouch collects food, which is released gradually to the remaining part of the stomach. The ring has to be adjusted several times (for obtaining the ideal position and is done during post operational sessions), by deflating or inflating it with saline solution introduced through a port that is placed under the skin of the abdomen. As compared to a normal stomach, the pouch will hold very less quantities of food and so, the person will consume only a small amount of food. The food is released from the pouch gradually, so that the person has a feeling of fullness, which restrains him from taking extra food. All these factors, along with a strict lap band diet, leads to weight loss. As compared to other bariatric surgeries, lap band procedure is said to be almost free of risks. But, this is not the case and like any other surgical procedures, lap band surgery also has some risks.

Dangers of Lap Band Surgery

As mentioned above, risks of lap band surgery cannot be ruled out totally, as there are reports of complications, that can be classified as mild, moderate or severe. Lap band surgery complications are not rare, but it has been observed that the complications are mostly seen in people with very high levels of obesity and other serious medical conditions. According to health experts, the chances of developing lap band complications increase with age. Lap band surgery risks can be categorized into three groups. One is risk related to surgical procedure and these risks are almost common for all such procedures. Another is risk caused by the band and the third is the risk associated with long-term use of the band.

Risks Related to Surgery: As in any other surgery, lap band procedure too has its own risks, like formation of blood clots or tear of stomach wall. Some people develop serious reactions due to anesthesia or other complications, that may sometimes cause death of the patient. Even the procedure of laparoscopy has its own set of risks. Such risks include chances of stomach or esophageal perforation. Laparoscopical surgical procedure may also cause harm to the nearby organs, like liver, spleen, etc. Sometimes, the person may develop infection in the surgical site and this causes immense pain and delay in lap band surgery recovery time. In some cases, major blood vessels may get damaged during the procedure.

Risks Related to the Band: Even though, the band is said to be biocompatible, it may happen that your body reacts to the band as a foreign object. Lap band surgery risks can be minor like, nausea, heartburn, constipation, pain in abdomen, diarrhea, bloating, difficulty swallowing, dehydration, etc. and these complications may resolve with time. The silicone ring may get deflated all of a sudden, increasing the size of the opening between the pouch and the remaining part of the stomach. It may sometimes cause enlargement of the pouch, as it slips from its position. Another serious complication related to the silicon ring is that the ring may erode into the stomach tissues and cause perforation. The band may cause swelling of the surrounding tissues too. It may also cause complications like, ulcers, gastritis, etc.

Long-term Complications: As lap band surgery is aimed at weight loss that is achieved by reduction in food intake, it may sometimes lead to malnutrition and related conditions, caused by vitamin deficiency like, hair loss. It may also happen that some of the problems with the port or silicon ring requires another operation. Long-term risks include gallstones and gallbladder disease. In some cases, the tube that connects the access port to the ring may get punctured due to stress or during adjustments, leading to complications.

In short, there are some lap band surgery risks, but the chances of developing complications are very low, as compared to other types of bariatric surgeries. If you want to undergo this surgery, make sure that you are fit as per lap band surgery requirements. But before you go for this surgery, discuss with your surgeon about the possible risks associated with this surgical procedure.