Symptoms of a Lap Band Slip

According to the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, fewer known complications exist with the lap band procedure than with other bariatric surgeries. Side effects can include nausea and vomiting on the treatable end of the spectrum to band erosion into the stomach on the more serious side things. Band slippage can occur, causing an enlargement of the stomach pouch, but as Dr. Santiago Horgan at UCSD points out, the advantage to the gastric band is that it can be removed or replaced if complications become serious. Patients must be aware of their symptoms, particularly with band slippage, and report those side effects to their physician.

Reflux

• The primary symptom occurring in most patients is acid reflux. Although slippage is a progressive problem that gets worse over time, reflux often comes on suddenly in patients who were previously having little or no difficulty. This makes lap band slippage relatively easy to diagnose. Confirmation is achieved with an X-ray.

Difficulty Eating or Drinking

• Patients with advanced cases report significant pain as a result of lap band slippage and an inability to keep anything down save a little water. This is likely due to the twisting that occurs in both the stomach and the band. The stomach is said to be prolapsed as the band slips. The stomach pouch enlarges, then begins to twist inward.

Eating More

• As the lap band slips, the stomach pouch enlarges, and in some patients, this results in an ability to eat more. Even absent other symptoms, if you are able to eat more than is prescribed in your treatment plan, you should immediately notify your doctor.

Vomiting

• Severe cases that have developed untreated can result in vomiting and “sudden near-total dysphagia,” according to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in his report on a 2006 clinical study of lap band complications. Dysphagia is an inability to swallow anything, even saliva in extreme cases.