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Lapband Complications

According to data compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2004, approximately 66 percent of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. When exercise and calorie counting aren't melting the pounds off fast enough, Lap-Band surgery is an option. But there are Lap-Band complications that you should be aware of before you go under the knife.

  1. How Does It Work?

    • Lap-Band surgery is designed for adults who have been at least 100 pounds overweight, or have had a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, for at least the five previous years. During the operation the surgeon places a saline filled silicone ring on the upper part of the stomach. The ring prevents the stomach from holding large amounts of food, so the patient will feel fuller faster and for longer periods of time. According the the makers of Lap-Band, a patient typically spends less than 24 hours in the hospital after surgery.

    GERD

    • Food goes down the esophagus when you swallow. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder where stomach acid rises up into the esophagus. The acid irritates the lining of the esophagus, causing heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or even a sore throat. GERD is just one of the complications after Lap-Band surgery.

    Vomiting

    • Once you have Lap-Band surgery, it's vital that you follow the prescribed dieting rules and chew your food well. Not doing so can cause nausea and vomiting. And if you do have a problem with vomiting, contact your doctor, as the Lap-Band may be in the wrong position. Vomiting can cause the stomach pouch created by the band to increase in size, defeating its original purpose, which is to make the stomach pouch smaller.

    Slippage

    • Sometime a Lap-Band will slip from its desired location at the top of the stomach, allowing more stomach into the band than necessary. Excessive vomiting can sometimes create this problem, known as band slippage. In minor cases your physician might have to deflate the Lap-Band and wait a couple of weeks to reinflate it. In the worst scenario, the part of the stomach within the band may die and need to be removed.

    Erosion

    • If after Lap-Band surgery you notice that you go from being able to eat small portions of food to entire three-course meals, you might have a Lap-Band complication known as erosion. Erosion occurs when the band wears down into the stomach. Though it's not considered an emergency, it can cause you to regain the weight that you previously lost, since you're regaining full use of your stomach.

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