Risks and Benefits of LAP BAND® surgery

Bariatric surgery is another name for weight loss surgery. There are many types of bariatric surgery; however, the one preferred by many is the LAP BAND® or the laparoscopic banding Surgery. LAP BAND® surgery is a type of restrictive bariatric surgery.  This means that it restricts food intake of the patient by reducing the stomach size. In order to achieve this, a special adjustable silicone band is constricted around the upper part of the stomach to create a pouch. This pouch may have a diameter as small as your little finger and holds very little food. Therefore, the person feels full after eating minimal quantity of food. The silicone band can either be tightened or loosened, thus controlling the passage of food from the pouch to the rest of the stomach which is still intact. 

The Benefits

• There is no overeating.
• Since the band makes the passage between the pouch and the rest of the stomach very narrow, the passage of food out of the pouch is very slow, thus giving a sense of fullness for a longer period and controlling the desire to eat between meals.
• This procedure does not involve any stapling, suturing, re-routing or removal of any part of the digestive tract as in comparison to other surgeries, and therefore is preferred by many.
• The silicone band can be adjusted as per the patient's progress and requirement or even removed. Therefore, this procedure is completely reversible.
• This surgery is done by using laparoscopic procedure. Therefore, LAP BAND® surgery is a minimal invasive surgery. The person experiences less pain after surgery and no infection from the incisions.
• A person who is 100 lbs overweight can lose up to 50 lbs on average.
• The chances of malnutrition are low.
• The mortality rate is the least as in comparison to other methods.

The Risks

• Nausea and vomiting may be triggered after eating meals but that can be taken care of by adjusting the band.
• Gastro esophageal reflux or acid reflux may occur.
• In some cases some complications like infections and minor bleeding can occur.
• The band may slip off or wear off requiring immediate surgical intervention.
• The band may cut into the stomach layer but this is very rare.
• A foreign mechanism is implanted inside the body.
• The saline port or container may leak.
• Weight loss is slower as in comparison to other types of surgery.

The benefits definitely seem to outweigh the risks and therefore if proper precaution is taken, the LAP BAND® surgery can be very effective. To learn more, consult a bariatric surgeon directly.