Lap Band - Pros and Cons?
Lap band weight loss surgery was introduced in the mid 1990s and has since then been practiced by doctors around the world. Today, it is the preferred form of weight loss surgery. However though lap band surgery was introduced in the 1990s, it was only in June 2001 that it was licensed to be performed in the United States.
Lap band surgery is a favored form of surgery with fewer complications than in other forms of weight loss surgery. Its success is also noted in the reduction of associated health problems of obesity like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and hypertension. Today, patients spend less time in a hospital after the operation than before. Patients can now resume their work within a week, which is much faster than the 2-3 weeks that was once required to recover from lap band surgery.
The greatest advantage of lap band surgery is of course, the weight loss that arises with the surgery. On an average, a patient loses about 49% of the excess body weight in the body after the surgery. There are also cases of patients losing over 69% of the excess body weight too. Patients opting for lap band surgery usually focuses on the amount of weight loss they experience with the surgery to grade its success. However the main point to take into consideration when deciding on the success of the surgery is if the patient loses sufficient weight to experience improvement in general health and quality of health.
Compared to other forms of weight loss surgeries, lap band surgery is today the least invasive form of weight loss surgery with the least hospitalization time, with quickest recovery. In addition to this, this is the only form of adjustable type of weight loss surgery where adjustments can be made to control the amount of weight that has to be lost. It is also a form of weight loss surgery which can be reversed when needed. Most importantly, lap band surgery avoids the problems that arise with stomach stapling and the rerouting of the intestinal tract that occurs with other weight loss surgeries.
The complications that arise with lap band surgery can be considered to be the generic complications that occur with any other form of surgery. Soreness in the abdominal area, respiratory problems and blood clot formations are some complications of the surgery. The patient will not be able to eat food for fifteen days after the surgery.
Thin fluids in the form of juices and milkshakes are permitted in addition to some lean protein and fresh fruits. Processed foods like cakes, chips, cookies, pies and pastries have to be avoided. Even food like shrimp, pasta, rice, dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter and vegetables should be avoided as it causes blockages after an operation. Whatever food is eaten now has to be chewed thoroughly.
It can be seen that lap band has its pros and cons; however if it is performed by an experienced surgeon, then the incidence and possibility of cons is considerably reduced.
Posted: March 12th, 2007 under Daily Health Tips, Weight loss surgery.
Comments: 21
Comments
Comment from carole
Time: February 12, 2008, 8:57 am
Do I understand that vegetable (raw or cooked) should be avoided forever after the Lip band surgery or just while you are recuperating from the procedure?
Comment from JustMe
Time: August 22, 2008, 9:12 am
For me there was a 2 week liquid diet phase pre-op, two weeks post-op then soft food for two weeks then solid foods. I was never told to avoid vegetables in fact I am encoraged to eat them. Certain foods can not be tolerated and those foods differ from person to person. Bread is a big one because it swells up in the stomach and gets stuck which is very uncomfortable until it passes through the band. Basically if you can chew it to mush then you are able to eat it. I was told to eat protein first then if still hungry veggies then if still hungry carbohydrates (fruits, grains etc.) I choose to avoid breads, pastas, rice, potatoes/corn/other starchy veggies and sugar because it is necessary for me if I want to lose weight sucessfully. But I have eaten small amounts of these foods and tolerated them just fine (except soft bread–flat bread goes down fine). The point of the Lap Band is that it allows you to be satisfied on small amounts of food. I have lost 36 pounds in 2 1/2 months without feeling hungry.
Comment from Kat
Time: August 23, 2008, 1:59 am
Hi, I am currently in the process of deciding if the lap-band surgery is for me. What was the deciding factor that made you decide to go for this procedure?
Comment from Candy
Time: August 27, 2008, 4:48 pm
Help I can’t make up my mind.
I am scheduled to have my lap band surgery Sept 4th and I’m scared to death.
Comment from Rosalinda
Time: November 17, 2008, 5:58 pm
After surgery can you feel the band in your stomach? Does it hurt? And last , is it true that if you haven’t had any kid’s they wont do the surgery?
Thanks!
Comment from Kimberly
Time: February 7, 2009, 4:46 pm
I am afraid of lap band surgery or any weight loss surgery because of the idea of hanging skin. I rather be fat than have all that skin hanging is this what happens with this surgery because I know it does with gastric bypass surgery. Please help - I can’t decide.
Comment from Lis
Time: February 15, 2009, 4:23 pm
I am researching this procedure as I am considering having this procedure done. I’m also very scared that after the surgery I will panic when I realize that my eating habits will necessarily change. I take comfort in eating. Of course this among other things, has caused me to become obese, not morbidly obese, but obese nonetheless. I have read a number of blogs and message boards among those who have undergone the surgery. Many pros and and cons. One con that terrifies me is the thought of a lump in my chest or throat! Is this absolutely avoidable if one is cautious to chew their food to liquid? Or can this happen regardless? If a band is rejected by my body how will I know and how will a physician know? Can a too tight band, or a deteriorating band be life threatening if undiagnosed? In general how are the surgeons post operation? Are they accessable in an emergency? Would any gastro…surgeon be able to handle an emergency situation if need be? I read above that on average people who have had this procedure lose 49% of their excess body weight. Why only half? If I needed to loose let’s say, 100lbs, does this mean I can expect to lose only 49-50 of those lbs? I really appreciate all of the help that is offered here. Thanks in advance.
Comment from shawna
Time: May 18, 2009, 10:52 am
I was 215 pounds when I got my band in March of 2005 and I did lose all my weight but I must say not eating after 5 was a saving for me. I did get pregnant last year and this caused tons of problems for me and now I am considering taking out the band. Yes you will have hanging skin all over and I just did a tummy tuck and breast reduction but it’s been great having the weight off. But you have to workout to help in all this otherwise you are just going to have empty muscle mass and skin.
Comment from Paige
Time: June 9, 2009, 11:33 am
help!!……..i can’t eat anything that doesnt hurt except for cottage cheese and wheat thins if chewed well. everything else is a struggle. i had my lapband surgery Aug. 18, 2008 had it filled twice, and have only lost about 35 lbs. i am a single mother of two young children and i commute 70miles a day back and forth to work. does anybody have any advice for me?
Comment from Paige
Time: June 9, 2009, 11:34 am
help!!……..i can’t eat anything that doesnt hurt except for cottage cheese and wheat thins if chewed well. everything else is a struggle. i had my lapband surgery Aug. 18, 2008 had it filled twice, and have only lost about 35 lbs. i am a single mother of two young children and i commute 70miles a day back and forth to work so exercise is nearly impossible. does anybody have any advice for me?
Comment from ALINA
Time: June 22, 2009, 1:43 pm
PLS HELP.. MY DAUGTHER IS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD LABPAND SURGERY ALMOST 4 WEEKS AGO.. I AM PUZZLED THAT SHE IS STILL HUNGRY AND BASICALLY EATS EVERYTHING IN SMALLER PORTIONS, BUT WAS ADVISED TO AVOID BREAD, CHCICKEN, ETC.. SHE DID 2 WEEKS OF LIQUID DIET AND THEN STARTED EATING. NO NAUSEA, NO THROWING UP, I AM PUZZLED PLS HELP.. IS THIS NORMAL???? PLS EMAIL ME ALSO AT ALINCHIK@AOL.COM.. I AM SO UPSET AND SCARED THAT IT WILL NOT WORK FOR HER…
Comment from chris
Time: July 3, 2009, 6:47 am
Very fortunate to get this surg…any hints or info on best results on weight lose after surg? Thanks in advance.
Comment from Tony Fidanza
Time: August 24, 2009, 10:40 am
I am scheduled to have Realized Band surgery (lap band) on August 31st I weigh 350 and want to get down to 250. I’ve heard that lap band surgery gives you nausea. I hate that feeling. There are many restrictions on eating (veges, fruit, bread and other starches. Could someone email me, good or bad, about their lapband surgery? Thanks, nycpdteacher@yahoo.com
Comment from Tony Fidanza
Time: August 24, 2009, 10:42 am
Could someone email me about their lapband surgery. I heard that you often feel nauseas and you can’t eat fruits, veges, breads and other carbs. Please let me know how you are doing with your lapband surgery. Thanks, nycpdteacher@yahoo.com
Comment from anewstart
Time: September 24, 2009, 12:12 pm
im really thinking about getting lapband and i would love to hear some pros and cons of the surgery if anyone could please email me and help me out thanks
sweetestredneck1@aol.com
Comment from irishstorm831
Time: October 1, 2009, 5:55 pm
Hello, I JUST had the lapband surgery on September 25, 2009…if anyone would like information on how I am doing I would be happy to help you along. I can only speak though for what works for ME, and you should not consider anything I say ‘medical advice’. :)
Comment from Janice
Time: October 10, 2009, 1:05 pm
I would really appreciate anyone emailing me regarding LAPBAND that has already had it done. My 18 year old is going to have it in January. I am so scared and want to make sure I am doing the right thing by allowing her to have this done. Plus the fact it will cost us about $14,000 to have it done. Would love to have any advise you can give us. Thanks so much. Concerned mom;)
Comment from Janice
Time: October 10, 2009, 1:06 pm
On the above my email address is jromain777@aol.com. Thanks again, concerned mom;)
Comment from christina
Time: November 29, 2009, 7:06 pm
I love my lapband! i had the procedure october 23rd 2009 ive so far lost 26lbs. i just had my 1st adjustment yesterday. if anybody is thinking about getting the lapband or just reently got it and have questions please feel free 2 email me mjcb426@yahoo.com
Comment from hopefulgal
Time: December 28, 2009, 8:51 pm
i just had lap band surgery on 12-23-09 i am doing great and i am following my liq diet to the t, i just today had a emotional break down due to being hungry can anyone give me any suggestions or encouragement to get through this faze i want to do it correctly so i continue to loose
Comment from heather
Time: January 5, 2010, 1:10 pm
my mom had the lapband and yes she has lost alot of weight but she has been hospitalized so many times she is in there now with a rash and her legs and i want to know if her body is rejecting it because she is doing so awful and before yes she had problems but now it is never ending verry concerned with this because she can’t eat she is so weak and puny and i think it is the lapband how can you tell if a body is rejecteing it?please let me know!!!
Write a comment