Gastric banding is a type of weight loss surgery for those who have 100 or more pounds to lose. It involves placing a band around the stomach to make it physically smaller so that the patient feels full sooner and eats less food. Gastric banding surgery is less involved than gastric bypass, so the risks tend to be lower. Gastric banding surgery can also be reversed, whereas gastric bypass cannot. As with any type of surgery, however, there are risks with gastric banding that patients need to discuss with a physician before undergoing this procedure.
Infections, Blood Clots and Vomiting
Every type of surgery has some general risks, and gastric banding procedures are no exception. According to the Columbia University Medical Center, gastric banding risks include blood clots and infections, which occur in less than 5 percent of all obesity surgeries. If after surgery the opening between the stomach and bowel becomes too small, food can back up in the stomach and cause vomiting. In this case additional surgery can help to reopen the area. The surgeon may need to remove the band completely if additional surgery does not correct the problem.
Organ Damage
With gastric banding surgery there is a risk of injury to the abdomen and intestines, claim the National Institutes of Health. These areas may be accidentally cut or irritated during the procedure, or scars can form in the area during the healing phase. Complications include the bowel blockages, hernias or an inflammation of the stomach or intestines. Symptoms such as pain, cramping, nausea, constipation, dehydration and bloating may occur. In rare cases the band can slip out of place or even erode into the stomach after surgery, and additional surgery may be required to replace it or repair the damage.
Lack of Weight Loss
The University of California Medical Center claims that close to 50 percent of the weight loss that results after gastric banding is maintained for at least five years. Even with surgery it is necessary to control food intake and get regular exercise, however. If patients consume too many calories after surgery, weight gain can occur. Even with the gastric band in place, the portion of the stomach above the band can enlarge in response to excess food intake, which alters the results gained by surgery.
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