Lap Band Risks
When you are considering lap band, you must realize that though it is a widely prescribed solution to obesity, it is still a surgical procedure and therefore has risks.
I'm not saying this to scare you away, but to make you aware. As the major risks of lap band go, they are significantly less than other weight loss surgeries.
Common Risks
Some of the common risks of lap band have to do with the alteration of the stomach pouch isolated above the band. In some cases this pouch can enlarge due to stretching of the stomach or slippage of the lap band.
Other possible risks and lap band complications include:- Band leakage
- Reflux or vomiting
- Erosion of band into stomach
- Difficulty swallowing
- Enlargement of stomach pouch or band slippage
- Dehydration
- No weight loss
- Blockage of stomach outlet
- Gas bloat
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Ulceration
- Weight regain
- Gastritis
- In extremely rare cases, death
Before getting too concerned about some of these risks, we need to temper them with some of the risks you already run because you are overweight.
More people than ever before are obese and the trend shows no sign of letting up. CDC (Centers for Disease Control) statistics state that obesity has increased 60% in the last decade.
Risks of NOT losing weight
If you weigh twice or 100 lbs more than your ideal weight or have a body mass index of 40 or more you are morbidly obsese and run the following risks:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Joint Problems
- Sleep Apnea
- Cancer
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Respiratory Problems
Obviously these are real risks you face today. Even though lap band has risks, not doing anything about your weight also has risk. You should talk with your doctor to see if lap band or some other weight loss surgery is worth it for you.
One of the major advantages of lap band is that it can be removed or replaced if complications do come up.