Lap Band Surgery: Is it dangerous?
Modern science has experienced advancement in the field of weight loss surgery with the introduction of different types of surgery like the gastric lap band surgery. This form of surgery is much safer than the earlier options of open gastric bypass surgery. However like all things in life, there are some risks associated to lap band surgery that should be discussed before making the final decision.
Lap band surgery has not only risks associated with this type of a surgery, but also carries the other risks associated with other forms of major surgeries. Of course, there are also the complications that arise with lap band surgery that is common with patients who are overweight. The most dangerous and serious risk of lap band surgery is the possibility of death occurring either during or after the surgery and because of some reason other reason related to the surgery.
However in this nuptial stage of lap band surgery, there have been few deaths reported so far, less than 1%. Of course, to reduce the possibility of risks and complications associated with lap band surgery, it is important to remember that the experience of the surgeon is an important factor. Surgeons, who have successfully used this technique of surgery about 100 times, offer a better success rate in the operation.
Your age, weight, presence of any health diseases that may be directly or indirectly related to your weight problem and your body’s reaction to anesthesia are some of the risks associated with lap band surgery. The most important lap band related risk that may occur during lap band surgery is a gastric perforation where a tear forms in the wall of the stomach. This risk occurs in about one percent of the cases.
The complications of lap band surgery usually occur in the weeks and months that follow the surgery. However these complications need not be serious and range from mild to severe. Nausea, vomiting and regurgitation, a condition called gastro esophageal reflux may occur in some patients. Then there are some people who may experience a slippage of the lap band while some others find an obstruction in the passage between the two divisions of the stomach.
Some rare cases of patients of lap band surgery experience erosion of the band in the stomach and perhaps some leakage of twisting in the access port. Diarrhea, constipation and difficulty in swallowing are some other complications of lap band surgery. There may also be occasional cases of gastritis, dehydration, pancreatitis, chest pain, gas and infection.
Basically, laparoscopically performed gastric lap band surgery has less risks and complications than other forms of weight loss surgery. However do discuss risks with the surgeon before deciding to undergo lap band surgery.
Posted: March 15th, 2007 under Weight loss surgery.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from Dippity
Time: April 12, 2007, 7:46 am
I have a friend who is in the process of getting lap band surgery done. She is 100 lbs overweight. In my honest opinion, she has been very lazy about her health and weight loss. She eats like a pig, never exercises and has many many many health problems as a result of her lifestyle. She is also very vain……going through with a face lift, liposuction, laser surgery on spider veins on her face, etc. But she wants the easy way out and refuses to take care of herself on the inside. As a friend, I have let her know this! I wish she would get with the program and lose weight the proper way. lap- band is not going to work either, due to the fact that she is just plain lazy!
Comment from samskpun
Time: April 12, 2007, 8:40 am
Yes it is a quick fix. And i ‘ve seen people fail to loss weight after the surgery.
However, it is also a “Jump start” for many people. Many people give up traditional diet because it takes time to see result. On the other hand, Lap band give hope to some who will never get on diet (even with a expensive price)
Comment from Lina
Time: October 19, 2007, 2:09 pm
My answer to this question is: Yes the Lapband is dangerous as is any operation for severely obesive people BUT doing nothing can be much more dangerous.
A Lapband Operation while weighting 120 kg is probally less dangerous then an apendix operation when weighting 300 kg.
And the truth is sevre obesity is still a dease that diet does hardly ever cure.
Comment from Sade
Time: October 28, 2007, 3:19 pm
I am very well aware of the fact that lap band surgery do have some side effects but its better to go for lap band surgery rather then suffering from obesity which itself is the cause of various illness.
Comment from Lori
Time: December 27, 2007, 12:33 am
Lapband death stats. should be studied and updated. I live in a small central Illinois community and I know of one 33 year old woman who died of complications from lapband surgery and another who had to have emergency surgery to remove the port because of an infection and an abcess around the site. Both women had the surgery a year ago and the complications happened within the last month.
Comment from Steve
Time: February 25, 2008, 10:59 am
In response to Lori at the above comment did you ever think that since you live in a small community that the same dr. most likely performed both surgeries. Therefor it’s the Dr involved who has a poor track record and that is why you should do research on numerous Dr’s before you have this done. Don’t knock the band there have been study after study showing it’s safe compared to other WLS and a lot safer when compared to staying morbidly obese.
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