Lap-Band Health: Questions About Lapband Weight Loss Surgery
Los Angeles, California
What are the possible risks and complications?
Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding is a major operation that carries substantial risks. In making the decision to have this procedure done, it is critically important that patients understand the risks associated with this operation. The benefit of weight loss surgery is to enable the patient to have a tool to help with diet. Appropriate dietary intake with exercise will greatly improve results of the weight loss procedure. An alternative to this procedure is dietary guidance with psychotherapy, diet and medication using appetite suppressants and finally all of these programs will require an increase in physical activity.At this time a decision is made to have the surgery, you will be asked to sign this form stating you understand all the risks involved. You are encouraged to ask questions at the time of your consult regarding any and all risks involved. Please read carefully; discuss these risks with you family, friends or other medical professionals.
The risks are as follows:
- Ulceration
- Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue)
- Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation)
- Heartburn
- Gas bloat
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Weight regain
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Death (While death is a rare complication that can occur with any general anesthesia, Dr. Liu has not experienced any deaths related to Lap Band Surgery.)
Other problems that can occur are:
- The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them.
- The band can slip
- There can be stomach slippage
- The stomach pouch can enlarge.
- The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked.
- The band can erode into the stomach
Obstruction of the stoma can be caused by:
- Food
- Swelling
- Improper placement of the band
- The band being over-inflated
- Band or stomach slippage
- Stomach pouch twisting
- Stomach pouch enlargement
Weight loss with the band is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight-loss surgeries. Tightening of the band too fast or too much in an attempt to speed up the weight-loss process should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. It is strongly recommended that you learn how to use your band as a tool, which can help you reduce the amount you eat. Infection is possible, and complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can cause weight gain. Other complications can occur that may require more surgery to remove, reposition or replace the band.
