The Disadvantages of Lap Band Surgery

Obesity is a problem for a growing number of people around the world. One solution to obesity is weight loss surgery, which restricts the body's intake of food and sometimes its ability to absorb nutrients. A popular form of weight loss surgery is laparoscopic gastric banding, also known as "lap band surgery." Unlike other forms of weight loss surgery, lap band surgery is reversible. However, there are disadvantages to lap band surgery that you should know about before deciding which type of weight loss surgery is right for you.

Process

During lap band surgery, an adjustable band is placed around the stomach, dividing it into an upper and lower section. The upper section becomes a pouch with a small outlet, restricting the amount of food you can eat. Since you can't eat as much food, you will lose weight. The band can be tightened or loosened if you want to lose more weight or if you need to be able to eat more food. It can also be removed completely.

Weight Loss

One disadvantage of lap band surgery is that it produces less weight loss than other types of weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgeries that restructure the stomach make your body absorb less nutrients as well as restricting the amount you eat. This means that these surgeries produce a greater amount of weight loss than lap band surgery. A person who gets lap band surgery will, on average, lose 40% of his excess weight; a person who has gastric bypass surgery will lose an average 60% of his excess weight. Weight loss is also slower than with gastric bypass surgery.

Diet

Lap band surgery can significantly alter your diet. Because the stomach outlet is so small, you will not be able to eat certain types of food after lap band surgery, such as corn, popcorn, rhubarb, asparagus, pineapple, nuts and other chunky foods. You may also have problems easting red meat, pasta, and fresh bread. All these foods can block the stomach outlet. Other foods must be chewed thoroughly to prevent blockage. You will only be able to eat small, strictly scheduled meals, and you won't be able to have liquid with your meals.

Side Effects

There can be complications to lap band surgery. Nausea and vomiting can occur after the surgery, necessitating loosening of the band. After surgery, there can be wound infection or bleeding. The gastric band can slip or deflate, or scar tissue can form around the band, choking off the stomach outlet. The stomach pouch can also enlarge, allowing more food in and halting weight loss. However, lap band surgery still has less risk of complication than other forms of weight loss surgery.

Lifestyle

After any weight loss surgery, you must adhere to a strict healthy diet and exercise plan. If you eat unhealthy food and lead a sedentary lifestyle, you can expect to have poor weight loss results. Lap band patients can also experience pain and embarrassing side effects if they eat the wrong types of food, and overeating can also enlarge the banded-off portion of the stomach.