Atlanta: Is the Lap-band Dangerous?
Lap-band surgery is the biggest thing since the gastric bypass. The lap-band system is surgically put in place over the top portion of the stomach. It can be inflated or deflated to adjust the amount of food allowed into the stomach. This device is thought, by many, to be a safer choice than gastric bypass surgery. The risk of death with the gastric bypass and the lap band are less than 1 percent. However, there is more risks of complications such as perforation of the stomach, nausea and vomiting. Approximately 88 percent of people having lap band surgery have some type of complication with the lap band post surgically. There are similar numbers associated with side effects from having gastric bypass surgery.
Lap band surgery has been done in the United States since 2001. Because there are so many possible complications associated with it, the band is only used on people who qualify to have it. In order to be eligible for the lap band the person has to have a BMI of 40 or above. The person qualifying for the device must have lived with the 40 or higher BMI for at least 5 years. Individuals must be 18 years or older to have the lap band system.
Many people believe that the lap band device is much safer because the surgery is less invasive. However, lap band surgery is considered major surgery. Any time a surgeon opens the abdominal cavity with a scalpel or through laparoscopic surgery, it is still major surgery. About 25 percent of the patients with the lap band system have to have it removed due to lap band slippage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other complications.
There are many surgeons in Atlanta performing the Lap Band surgery. Before considering major surgery for weight loss, talk to your family doctor about the benefits and the risks. Many doctors feel that if you are dedicated to weight loss to the point that you will risk your life in surgery that you could also be committed enough to lose weight with portion control, rather than having major surgery.
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Published by Charlene Collins
Charlene Collins is a retired licensed practical nurse from Bethlehem, Georgia. She has both career and personal experience with several types of physical and mental health conditions. First and foremost, Ch... View profile
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