Obesity is a major problem in the United States, which explains the rise in popularity of bariatric surgery. One of these popular weight loss surgery options is the Lap Band procedure. Approved by the FDA in 2001, the procedure has been used throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia to combat obesity. Below are some basic concerns that prospective Lap Band patients have and answers to those concerns.
What is Lap Band surgery and how does it work?
Lap Band surgery is a restrictive bariatric surgery, meaning that it restricts the amount of food intake by reducing the size of the stomach. This is different from malabsorptive bariatric surgery techniques, which reduces the amount of calories and nutrients that are absorbed by the intestine. There are also combinations of both these two techniques that can be used in certain cases of morbid obesity.
During Lap Band surgery, an adjustable silicone band is implanted around the upper portion of the stomach. Doing so creates two separate sections of the stomach: a small upper stomach pouch and a larger lower stomach pouch. By creating a smaller stomach pouch, the amount of food that a person can ingest is limited. It also slows the digestion process as food moves from the smaller stomach pouch to the larger stomach pouch, making a person feel fuller for a longer amount of time.
What are the risks of Lap Band surgery?
One of the more extreme risks associated with Lap Band surgery is gastric perforation. Gastric perforation refers to tears created in the stomach wall. This only occurs in about 1% of Lap Band surgery patients. Two other serious risks associated with Lap Band surgery include slippage of silicone band and blockage of the space between the upper and lower sections of the stomach.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, and difficulty swallowing may also occur in some patients.
What are the benefits of Lap Band surgery?
The major benefits of Lap Band surgery include the fact that the procedure is non-invasive. The entire surgery is performed laparoscopically, meaning that the entire surgery is performed through small incisions rather than through major incisions. In addition, the surgery involves no cutting or stapling of the stomach.
Another major benefit is that the procedure is completely adjustable based on the patient's individual needs. In fact, the surgery is completely reversible.
Above all, the primary benefit is the weight loss experienced in the weeks and months following the surgical procedure.
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