The Lap-Band is an adjustable gastric banding system created to help patients lose weight. It's designed so that an overweight patient can lose weight by minimizing the amount of food ingested into the stomach. The reduction of food intake makes the body feel full, and the patient eats less. The Lap-Band is a silicone gastric band that is placed at the upper stomach area. There is an internal adjustable port in which the device can be adjusted. The Lap-Band is generally placed into the body via laparoscopic surgery.
Migration of Lap-Band
Those who have the Lap-Band surgery must know that the Lap-Band can shift or migrate from its original placement location. This can come from an inadequately placed Lap-Band. The Lap-Band could also become unclamped or stretched out, causing weight gain with the patient. The danger to migration is that an additional surgery must be performed to readjust the Lap-Band. The surgeon can adjust the Lap-Band via the port by using fluid to inflate or deflate the device.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Gastrointestinal side effects can prove to be dangerous to some Lap-Band patients. Side effects include vomiting, reflux disease, gastritis, heartburn and ulceration in and around the stomach area where the Lap-Band was placed. Not being able to keep foods down is one of the most dangerous side effects of Lap-Band surgery; the patient could lose more weight than needed. The patient should seek medical assistance to help the doctor determine if a better diet plan is needed or a readjustment with the Lap-Band is necessary.
Laparoscopic Surgery Risks
Most Lap-Band procedures are done via laparoscopy surgery. Although this is a minimally invasive surgery, there are still some risks involved--and some can be quite dangerous. Spleen and liver damage, blood vessel damage, stomach perforation, rupture at the wound site and thrombosis could arise.
Obstruction
One of the dangers of having Lap-Band surgery is the risk for obstruction. This could be obstruction from food entering or exiting the stomach area. The band may initially be too tight, or the obstruction may be caused from overeating. This is a serious health issue that needs prompt medical attention. Generally, surgery is performed to remove the obstruction. The Lap-Band device may need to be readjusted in order to allow food to continue to pass through.
Infection
As with any surgery, Lap-Band surgery also comes with an increased risk for infection. There are a couple of ways an infection could occur--an infection at the site of the laparoscopic incision, or an internal infection in which the Lap-Band attaches to the stomach. There are signs to look for in the presence of infection, including redness or inflammation at the incision site. A fever over 102 degrees F is also a sign of possible infection. Any type of pain, swelling or redness near the incision or port area is an indication of a possible infection.
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