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.
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!
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Please make sure you look into this surgery fully if considering it. My friend’s husband had the surgery, felt fine immediately afterwards, and died two days later. It was a shock to everyone. The risk are discussed, but seemed so insignificant statistically-speaking.
I almost clicked away from here without commenting, but felt guilty not sharing this and am hoping that it will be a small piece of info used to educate someone else in their decision. I am not here to talk anyone out of anything, because there are benefits, but please don’t forget the risks too.
what are the risks? Better question, what are the risks associated with this that could result in death?
my dad is actually having the lap band procedur this morning. He is about 50 pounds overweight, however he’s a diabetic and has sleep apnia (sp not quite sure of the correct spelling). He’s a walking heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. Since he’s having the surgery today I don’t have an opinion yet regarding it. However what seems to have been very difficult so far is diet the patient must go on 5 days prior to surgery. It’s a complete clear liquid diet. My dad has been basically eating chicken broth and jello. He’s had to crush all of his pills and have a special insulin regime developed for him. He’s been the most unpleastant person the last 5 days, crumpy, uncomfortable, and actually in pain. He’s passed out twice so far and developed an electrolight imbalance. I’m hoping the hard part for the most part over and once surgery is complete his body will adjust quickly. Has anyone ever heard of the first 5 days being as difficult or complicated as this experience? And does it get better or worse after surgery?
A wonderful and dearly loved doctor in my community died over Thanksgiving holidays, three weeks after getting lap band surgery. She was 37 years old and the mother of 28 month old twins, what a waste of a wonderful woman.
She died of sepsis in her sleep while on a family trip.
Along with the dangers associated with this surgery there is also the issue of those with eating disorders, such as compulsive overeaters and binge eaters, thinking this will solve their problems. The problem is not what they are eating but why they are using food to cope. Without proper therapy and learning new and healthy coping skills the procedure is often unsuccessful and/or the person turns to another unhealthy coping skill such drugs, alcohol, or another obsessive behavior.
Lap-band is definitely not the easy way out, regardless of what anyone thinks. It’s a tool to weight loss, NOT at all a “quick fix.”And it also isn’t as dangerous as ya’ll are making it out to be. I had lap-band surgery 5 months ago and I’m healthier now than I have ever been. But, I’ve had to work my butt off to get where I am. I also know many people who have had the surgery, and they are all perfectly healthy. If you go to a good doctor and follow the rules like you are supposed to, then you will be perfectly fine. And as for the pre-surgery diet, it’s normal to be grumpy just like on any diet but as long as you’re getting as much protein (from the protein shakes) as you’re doctor recommends then you shouldn’t be uncomfortably hungry.
My name is Shanda and I have been thinking about having the lapband done to me, cause I am 34 yrs.old with plenty of health problems and I weigh about 330 lbs. now and I have 2 beautiful kids and I have tried everything to lose weight and nothing has worked for me.. I am just confused..I am so scared of leaving my kids behide.I am all they have..I just contiue to pray to GOD..I am thinking of Oxford Ms.Life is so precious to me..I have heart trouble,sleep anea,sugar,high blood pressure,asthma,all this sickness from my mom side and I caught it all.My mom died 5yrs.ago with cancer and my kids are still confused from that.they are scared for me..Lord I need help bad..I pray every day and night that god will wake me up to my kids..daughter is 14yrs.old son is 7 yrs.old..I am so lost…I just have to cry..my doctors recommand that I do the lapband,which I don’t know but time is contiue to roll pass me…someone help me..god has blessed me and me kids…I am a single parent,me and my kids live alone..I am so scared for myself, something has to give..my kids are my life..what am I to do,I am so confused..I am scared to go to sleep at night,but I still contiue to pray to god..please respond soon..thanks whom every read this..email me very soon.Sincerly, Confused & Scared!!!
My sister-in-law had the lap band done about a year ago, and she lost over 100 pounds and feels great. However, she vomits on nearly a daily basis and often has some chest pain. She was never an active person, and still has not made an effort to exercise. I can’t see this as being permanent because underlying behaviors are not addressed: why you eat (emotional eating) and why you don’t exercise. Being healthy is not just losing weight. I don’t think she will keep this off, and wonder what she’s doing to her esophagus by throwing up every day. Can’t be a good thing.
People, get up and walk every day, eat one less thing and cut out sodas. Do it yourself, do it for yourself, don’t have surgery to do what you can do yourself. That’s my opinion anyway.
I am 22 years old, 255 LBS. The tag on my pants has been above 10 sense I was 10. My Twin sister is tall, leggy, and 130 LBS. Perfect Skin, Perfect husband. Everyone in High School loved her. At out gradation party, there were quite a few confused faces. It seems no one knew I attended our school, unless you count the time my pants split open in gym class.
I am going to talk to my Doc. Tuesday about the Lap Band. I have tried every diet, fitness, and magic pill out there. Nothing has worked. I have high blood pressure, sleep apnia, sore joints and 4 chins. I have looked at every site I can find, I have read all the facts. That I want to know is what it feels like. Can you feel the port? What does it feel like on your stoma? Can you feel it tighten when you have adjustments?How long did it take YOU to heal? How did people treat you after? Did your Family suport you? What is the emotional effect of the surgery? Were you afraid before you had the surgery? Have you ever regreted it?
I’m scheduled for Lap-band on 06/24 and I am very aware, as are most people, of the complications that ‘may’ occur during this & ANY surgery. However, what some people may not know or understand about most obesity cases is WLS is a last resort and NOT having it could very well be a death sentence. At the very least an obese person will simply exist, not really live, with a multitude of ailments. That doesn’t mean they won’t have happy times but dealing with the ailments will take toll on them mentally & physically.
I have always been ‘big-boned’ but very active. I took on a position at work that entailed MANY more hours than I was accustomed to and most of those hours required me to sit for 7+ hours at a time. Due to this and genetics, I developed diabetes, High BP, sleep apnea and a few other illnesses. Some of the medications for these caused rapid weight gain and on a visit to my Endocrinologist he stated “Diabetes is taking over your body.” All of my doctors are in favor of me having the WLS.
So, to everyone who thinks the only thing that needs to happen is ‘more exercise’, ‘less eating’ – It’s not that cut and dry. There are many more factors than most people know about until they live it.
I have had lapband surgery at age 22. I started losing weight a few months following my surgery. I losed over 100 pounds. Then when I found out my band had slipped I had to go back into surgery and found out I was pregnant. I did gain a lot of weight but not were I was before. I had a mind set that I was going to lose this weight with or without the band. I do not have insurance and cannot afford to replace my band. I am proud to say I went from 200lbs after my pregnancy to 147 pounds and I feel better than ever, even after my surgery. I just want to stress the importance of the mind set to losing the weight. Lap band did change my life and it is a great procedure, but it does take the dedication on your part. I want everyone who reads this to know that it is a great procedure but you have to do your part to eat right and exercise.
My sister was overweight ever since we were kids. Seems she was just born that way. She had some kind of lap band surgery a few years ago. For the 1st time in her life she is a smaller size than me (She was a size 12 after surgery but is now stable at a size 14; while I have slowly climbed to a size 18.) She looks awesome & I am so happy for her. Find a reputable Dr., a support group at church & just get it done. Give your worries to God & He will give you peace. (Phillipians 4:7)
This question is for anyone who has gotten lapband…. I am currently in the process of getting lapband surgery. I am 31 and am planning to have a baby within a year. Has anyone here gotten lapband done and then had children? were there complications?
I’m Thinking about having the lapband done i do go to gym three times a week with my trainer, the other days i walk two miles a day. i’m 5’0,250lb,56yrs.old i been this size for five years.i am the mother of four sons an have the best husband any wife could dream of. my husband just want me to be in better health but i want my health an also look better. does my age play a part in having this surgery done. i also taking diet pills that did’nt help.i don’t over eat i just can’t lose weight. a housewife who has a good life. ps. over weight.
why would you get the lap band if you just plan on having kids and getting fat in a year anyways? Why not wait till after you pop the pups then have the lap band if you want it so bad?
I hear alot of stories about people getting the lap band and getting physically sick everyday. The reason why they get sick is because they were not taught the proper way to eat after the surgury, dont take my word for it because I am not a doctor, I am just a well informed person about the Lap Band because I did my reasearch. People are asking so many questions, my advice to you is to go to the actual Lap Band website and to not come to this website. The website is such a great tool, it is changing my life. You can enter all of your information and they tell you what to do. If your thinking about having the lap band, dont listen to these stories, some of them are people that are just misinformed. After the surgury you must be mentally prepared, you cant just eat whatever you want and be full, it doesnt work like that. Get informed you’ll be much happier!
My father had this surgery in ’03. He died 1/25/10 due to complications with the lap band. The band had eroded his stomach. They performed surgery to remove the band on a Monday, sent him home on Thursday, he was back in the hospital on Saturday, and died on Monday. This is a very dangerous surgery. Do not consider Lap Band surgery. My mother also had the lap band put in. It did not work for her. She now gets clogged every time she eats and has to purge after every meal. I’m now worried that the band will also cause her death.
My Brother whom is 35 had the lap band done 2 years ago.He was about 320 pounds and did drop down to 200 lbs today.He could only eat minimal food with th lap band or would vomit daily.He now is sitting in the hospital after having emergency surgery from the lap band.It eroded into his stomach causing a whole in which all food went into his abdomen, now caused major infection.He is in severe pain and may never be able to eat again as he has a feeding tube in place.Read your statistics on lap band 25% eventually have major complications and there not performing many of these surgeys in europe anymore.It was very big in the early 90′s there but there now seeing the lasting effects.”Live life to the fullest and don’t die tring to be skinny”.
I have had the band for 3 years and have lost 93 lbs to date. the band is a wonderful tool but one still has to work at changing their lifestyle. However there is no more dieting and the yo yo effect. Studies have shown the obese need help. Simple dieting does not work nor does exercise accomplish much other than improve the cardiovascular system. Self esteem is low. With the support of your doctor the band is a very effective tool
Wow Dippity, if that’s how you talk about s friends, I’d hate to see how you treat an enemy. I only hope you poor friend wakes up and realizes what you really are!
As a person who actually has a lapaband and not just a judgemental opinion on the topic I can assure you it I NOT the easy way out. Daily excercise and restricted eating are still vitally important. If a person with a lapband want to eat crap all day, they still can. Believe me, ice cream chocolate , sundes etc all slide through a band easily. The lapbander has a responsibility to work WITH the band otherwise no weight will be lost. People who get a band have nearly always tried every diet known to man and this is a last resort.
New evidence is also arising about the genetic role of weight gain.
So before you sit back and judge ask yourself ‘have I walked in this persons shoes? Have I experinced life as them” the answer is no.
My Step Mother just had the Lap Band pSurgery on Friday April 16th and died Sunday April 18th in her sleep, she also felt fine immediately following the surgery she didn’t even stay overnight in the hospital it was a same day surgery, my Dad (poor man) found her in there bed on Sunday afternoon. We are all completely shocked. It is so sad.
The lap band may be quick fix. My only suggestion if you’re considering this awful procedure? DO YOUR RESEARCH! Check with your insurance plan or contact a Chief Medical Director to ask how much experience should a surgeon have in order to get a successful outcome. Don’t go with the clinic/facility that has the most popularity. Check the surgeon’s name in the Medical Board for your state. Don’t rest there either…if you’re scared DON’T do the procedure. By the way, my sister passed away from going to a (supposedly) prestigious clinic in Beverly Hills. Are you thinking of the bill boards off the freeways. You guessed it. That’s where she went. Do your research (check the LA Times) for stories of bad, dirty, and “out for your money” clinics. My sister could be alive if she only knew the clinic where she had her lap band procudure was cited for being unsanitary and the doctors were pending investigation. My sister trusted these doctors/clinics/staff…they all let her down.
How could i get this letter without showing my emotion’s.i have tried everything 2 lose weight i was 287 now i have gone down to 220.it’s been so hard on me.in 3 weeks im going to have my lapband put in!! i dont wanna pay for my own death.their r so many times where i cry alot because its so hard when people call u names and make fun of you.with 3 weeks away for my surgery i wanna feel happy again.i want a normal life.im always in pain on my knee’s.i know its going to be hard on me but i will make the best out come possible for myself.i will give everyone an update on my surgery of the lapband.thanks so much..yanet
i have chrones disease,i”very worried about doing the lap band surgery.reason being mt chrones gets crazy at times and i don’t know what i’m going to feel after the surgery.i have gain 60 lbs in 4 yrs ..i can’t said to look at myself in a mirror.my belly looks like i’m in my 9 month.so i need some kind of help to get my started.what do u feel go for it or not???help me make a discision.thanks
I had the lap band 11-21-97, three days later I was in the ER, then admitted to the hospital. I became septic and had emergency surgery to remove the band, and had an open wound down the center of my abdomen for 6 months. I have had three hernias and still have constant pain in my right abdomen and hip and back.
Please pray about your decision to have the procedure.
It did not work for me.
thank you.
Please, be carful.I had lap-band surgery 1year ago.In Beverly Hills.My Insurance paid almost 200,000 for my surgery.I felt great I had lost 70 pounds,and would tell everybody how great lap-band is.10 months after my surgery, i wasnt feeling good one day,a lap-band doctor said i was fine after examing me,I told him something is really wrong, he wouldnt give me an xray.next day im in Emergency Surgery fighting for my life.My band burst i was in the hospital for 14 days hooked up to 13 iv bags.I was very sick. Now my insurance paid 220,000 to fix me back to normal. Please know the risks email me if you have any questions.
barbie8844@msn.com
I am goin 2 my 2nd consult bout this surgery. i am scared of dying 2 b slim. at this time i only got sleep apnea but after readin i fear dying in my sleep. on the flip side i know so many others who have had the surgery and success. confused as hell
Anyone got the exact deaths from lap band surgery number in 2010? I am kind of scared and want to see some statics
What is the lap band fatalities percentage? Is it higher than 1%? even one percent is way too high in my opinion…
For those who went through it what is your lap band experience? good or bad?
I had lap band surgery 12/09 I have lost 69 lbs. The last two week’s i started having a throbbing pain in my stomac and sometime’s after I eat.I went to the Doctor and tuesday I go have a upper endoscopy . I hope it’s nothing bad. I really have loved my band and would do it again. Well , we will see if i feel the same afte.r tuesday
I had to comment, seeing so many people so confused and pushed into doing something so drastic. My biggest argument is that this procedure may not be your last surgery. If you can barely afford this surgery, then what’s going to happen later on if something goes wrong? Even if the surgery doesn’t kill you, the mere possibility of having some new internal issue arise just because you had an elective surgery means that you better have good insurance or a lot of money. When people say %1 mortality rate (risk of death), I always find fault with that statistic because everyone seems to know someone that passed away with those “complications” of some type of weight loss surgery. Gone are the days when removing a healthy body part or installing some artificial appliance would be considered radical. Anti obesity propaganda is being enhanced by a greedy bariatric industry. Two words should also make anyone uneasy about this procedure, “celebrity endorsement” or “heavy advertising”.
I have to say that reading all of these comments about people that “know someone” is probably not revealing the full facts. I’m not saying that there is no mortality rate what so ever but the amount of people that ACTUALLY die FROM THE BAND is extremely minimal. It is usually complications of health issues that were had prior or that you did not go to a reputable doctor to save yourself a buck. I have the lap band and have been really successful so far. I will tell those people that think this is “the easy way out” or “the quick fix” you are all out of your mind. If anything it is harder than regual dieting and exercise. When it comes to self control there is minimal room for error where people without the band can load themselves up on chocolate cake and the worst thing that will happen is a tummy ache. Unless you personally have been through it, you really have no idea because everybody “knows someone, that knows someone” If you want to see what the real deal is go to the website lap band talk. The people are very informative and supportive.
So YEA!!! dont do it–unless u got some sort of serious reason u cant lose weight then I say NO!.
My loving amazing beautiful niece DIED at the hands of a surgeon that was sppose to be one of the best. She was only 50LBS over weight and she looked amazing.
Its our society that puts those pressures upon your mind. U are all beautiful people.
now ask yourself whats the real problem in your life. Most people gain the weight back after surgery. main reason why?
they never fixed the real heart of the problem. here is the story. CMON people stop the nonsense already
http://www.10news.com/news/28055031/detail.html
I am having my lap band done on August 26th 2011. A little over a week from now. I’m so excited. I researched my surgeons. My surgeon is one of the innovators of lap band. He has tons of experience. He has had zero deaths and the majority of his patients have lost all of their weight without ever having an adjustment. He only encourages adjustments if absolutely necessary. My insurance pays for the lap band 100% as long as i agreed to do 6 months of weight loss therapy, which i have completed. I believed that having the weight loss therapy is going to be a valuble tool for me. It helped me realize so many things that i was unaware of. My doctor is one of the few who does not make you do a liquid diet. He prefers that you do south beach diet phase 1, 2 weeks prior to your surgery. I have been on south beach phase 1 for 6 days and have lost 5 pounds. My doctor made me aware of all the risk but also of all the benefits. I realize that lap is a tool for my weight loss but i have to put in the work and not eat or drink things that could harm me or my lap band. Following the rules is one of the most important things to ensure your health and safety after surgery. I was scared when i first decided to get lap band but after the 6 months of preparation and education, i have no reservations about it. I think everyone should be required to go through the 6 months so you are educated about the procedure, and you are educated on what to expect afterwards so you don’t get yourself in a bad situation. Wish me luck!!
Of course everyone “knows someone”- what did you think, the dead could tell their story??
If you have Lapband or any other surgery done at Al’s Storm Door
and weight loss clinic, you might have less than desirable results.
The American College of Surgeons accredits selected hospitals to
perform Lapband surgery and their failure rate is less than .05%.
I’d like to see documentation for some of the horror stories here.
I have no stake in any WLS, just a desire for fairness in posting.
I am currently 20 years old, and I had the realize band (just the johnson and johnson version of the lap band) put in when I was 17 years old. At my highest weight, I was 264 pounds. I’m currently 140 pounds. Lap-band changed my life by far for the better. Yes, of course there are risks! It’s a major abdominal surgery, whether it’s laproscopic or not. The diet before and after the surgery are not for weight loss purposes; they are for surgical safety purposes. Putting food into the stomach soon after surgery can irritate the band, cause erosion, etc. And lap-band definitely addressed many of my health issues regarding food. It is a forced diet and it forced me to think differently about food. The difference between living to eat and eating to live is the biggest disparity in the world and something that took me over 2 years to conquer. It’s not a shortcut. It’s an aid. Crying over food still happened for a while. The compulsion to eat is something that you have to deal with emotionally; lap-band only controls the amount. Yes, I have “thrown up” pretty often since the surgery but that’s because I didn’t follow the rules. If you take small enough bites then nothing will get stuck and cause you to throw up. But you also need to understand that the “throw up” doesn’t contain bile or erosive acids. If something is stuck it hasn’t even gone down to the lower part of the stomach. Food comes up exactly the way it went down, plus some saliva. It hasn’t eroded my throat or teeth. There is a total difference between something getting stuck and having to regurgitate and something like a stomach virus–those can rip the lap band out of place. You have to be careful about things like drinking alcohol, but I always have some kind of anti-nausea medicine handy.
I was so successful because I followed the rules (about 90% of the time anyway). No, you won’t lose weight if you drink large milkshakes every day. That’s common sense. Don’t spend $20,000 if you want milkshakes that bad. Malnutrition also occurs too. I haven’t always been very good about my vitamins, but they are essential. I can tell when my body doesn’t have them and its functioning decreases. I had my surgery in Ocean Springs, MS with Dr. Avara. He’s a brilliant surgeon and likable person. I have had absolutely no complications that were not due to my own carelessness. The new qualifications for lap band are absolutely ridiculous though. If you don’t have more than 100 pounds to lose, lap band isn’t for you. You do not want to get this surgery unless absolutely necessary. It is painful, miserable, and will test your resolve. My mom wonders all the time if we did the right thing. I’m certain we did despite how miserable it sometimes made me. Now, I don’t have to worry about my health as much. I can just live. On a side note, lap band won’t fix your emotional issues. That’s something only you can fix.