Lap Band Surgery Precautions

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or Lap-Band surgery, involves surgical placement of an adjustable silicone band at the top of the stomach in order to restrict the amount of food that can be eaten. The Lap-Band device also slows the movement of food, which causes the patient to feel full quickly. The procedure is intended for people with a body mass index greater than 40, or 35 if other obesity related illnesses are present. Ideal candidates for Lap-Band surgery are people who attempted nonsurgical approaches to weight loss without success and who have endured an ongoing struggle with chronic obesity.

Complications

• Complications from Lap-Band surgery are rare but the procedure does carry general surgical risks such as bleeding or infection, as well as risks associated with Lap-Band placement. As per the Consumer Guide to the Lap-Band Procedure at Lapbandsurgery.net, risks specific to Lap-Band surgery include band slippage with weight loss, band leakage or erosion, conversion from a laparoscopic procedure to an open procedure, enlargement of the stomach pouch, or blockage of the stoma. Some complications that occur in connection with Lap-Band surgery can be prevented by being compliant with care and diet instructions after the procedure.

Preoperative Considerations

• It is recommended that anyone planning to undergo Lap-Band surgery quit smoking at least six weeks prior to the procedure. Smoking cigarettes slows the healing process, raises the risk for anesthetic complications and postoperative pneumonia. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of surgical complications.

  Women who want to become pregnant should consider that pregnancy is contraindicated for up to two years following the procedure due to the drastic weight loss that is typically experienced after Lap-Band surgery. As noted in the consumer guide information at Lapbandsurgery.net, weight loss occurs more rapidly in the first couple of years following the surgery, which potentially creates precarious conditions for pregnancy.

Postoperative Considerations

• Due to rapid weight loss, patients may experience mild hair loss at around six months following surgery. Hair loss after Lap-Band surgery is normally a temporary condition, and hair will eventually return to normal as weight loss slows down.

  To ensure success with the Lap-Band system, patients are encouraged to participate in regular exercise. The Lap-Band Official Site lists 30 minutes of daily exercise as one of their top 10 rules to life after Lap-Band surgery.

Recovery and Long-Term Commitment

• Patients can expect to be in the hospital for at least one day following surgery. According to the Online Guide to Lap-Band Surgery at Lapband.us, the postoperative diet is progressed from clear liquids initially to pureed foods after a couple of weeks. Depending on the patient's progression, normal foods may be incorporated between one and two months after surgery.

  Lap-Band surgery isn't like a diet that can be started and stopped. It is a lifestyle change and serious commitment is necessary for success. After surgery, the Lap-Band device will have to be adjusted several times in the first year, with small adjustments in subsequent years.