Lap Band surgery is a restrictive, reversible weight loss procedure that requires the insertion of a saline-filled band around the upper part of the stomach. This band creates a smaller pouch in the stomach in which food gets stored. Because of the small functional size of the stomach, food intake is drastically limited and in turn leads to weight loss.
Lap Band surgery has its own limits and side-effects. These problems vary in intensity, but they can likewise be reduced or avoided by means of proper maintenance procedures. It is however important to know these possible risks to help the interested individual fully understand the whole surgery.
Side Effects of Lap Band Surgery
General Surgery Problems
Lap Band surgery is still surgery; it offers the common problems other forms of surgery do. These include risks of damaging other organs near the stomach, such as the liver and intestines. Blood clots may also arise due to the cutting of the stomach wall. These issues however can be avoided by means of working with an expert surgeon and discussing the possible problems before the actual operation takes place.
Lap Band surgery works by means of laparoscopic procedures and requires only a few small incisions. This makes general surgery problems reduced as compared to other weight loss procedures.
Band Problems
Another possible side effect of Lap Band surgery is band slippage. The gastric ring that make the small pouch in the stomach may slip or erode away, therefore causing problems. The pouch may return to its original shape; the saline filling inside the band may also leak and cause nausea and malaise.
The port in which the gastric band is connected may also cause problems. This is because the port is placed under the skin and links to a tube going towards the gastric ring. The port is where the saline is injected to adjust the settings of the band. Among the common issues with the port include saline infections and band misalignment.
Vomiting
There are patients who suffer from consistent vomiting and nausea after undergoing surgery. This may be due to a variety of reasons, such as:
- Band slippage or erosion. As mentioned above, when the band slips or tears, the saline filling may affect the person’s system and cause nausea and vomiting.
- Small stomach pouch. The small stomach pouch also allows only a small amount of food to be digested. In turn overeating may cause the person to vomit and regurgitate as the stomach could no longer handle excess amounts of food.
- Ingestion of certain foods. There are also some foods which could not be easily digested by the stomach. These include red meat, starchy fruits and vegetables. The inability to digest such foods easily causes the stomach to suffer from cramps and in turn make the person dizzy and subject to vomiting.
Vomiting and nausea can be reduced by following a more fluid diet and consistent water intake. Those who have had their bands damaged should undergo reconstructive surgery immediately to avoid further problems.
Intestinal Issues
The other organs in the digestive system may also be affected by Lap Band surgery. Such problems include gastric esophageal reflux disease (GERD), constipation, gastritis and gas bloating. Dehydration may also take place due to the lack of high fiber intake during the post-surgery diet.
