Lap Band Side Effects

  The lap band surgery is becoming one of the fastest growing weight loss surgeries people who are seriously overweight. The success stories are everywhere from radio advertisements, magazines, and giant billboards on the side of the freeway. While these ads and testimonials seem great, there are some problems that aren’t getting the same attention. These are the lap band side effects which if posted along with the ad would lower the amount of people wanting the procedure. We will discuss these issues so that you have a clear understanding of what potential problems you could have with this surgery.

The first of the lap band side effects are considered the more mild ones. These are the ones which generally do not have much consequence with them. Even though they aren’t life threatening they can be quite uncomfortable.

• Diarrhea
• Protein Deficiency
• Weight Gain
• Hair loss
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Nausea

Some of the lap band side effects can be quite painful and very detrimental to your health. They can normally be fixed by doctors which is why you have frequent check- ups in your first year.

The more serious Lap Band side effects are:

• Gastro Esophageal Reflux- This is more commonly called acid reflux or heart burn. Generally if you lay down after eating you will experience the heart burn. This is caused by the tightness of the band around your stomach.
• Vomiting- You might be surprised to learn that this is one of the most common side effects of the lap band surgery. The main cause of this is eating large chunky food or just plain overeating. Also drinking on an empty stomach or eating quickly can cause this side effect. When your stomach is restricted from the band there is a whole new way of eating that must be adhered to.
• Constipation- If you have ever been constipated you know how uncomfortable this can be. Again this is a common side effect due to the liquid foods you eat frequently.
• Problems Swallowing- This is just caused from the stomach being constricted again.
• Esophageal Dilation- An esophageal dilation is an enlarged esophagus. When this happens it is hard if not impossible to push food through your esophagus. This causes things like bleeding, perforation, difficulty swallowing and major heart burn.
• Gallbladder Problems- the surgery can lead to gallstones being created in your gallbladder. When this happens you can experience symptoms like stomach pain, indigestion, and vomiting.
• Pancreatitis- This is also known an in enlarged pancreas. The symptoms of this include breathing problems and can lead to a bacterial type infection.
• Stoma Obstruction- sometimes the band is not placed correctly around your stomach. If this happens it will obstruct or block the stoma. It has been said that up to 14% of the people that have the surgery.
• Gastric Perforation (tearing)- Gastric perforation is just a fancy word that means the tearing of the stomach walls. When this side effect happens, the food you consume goes out of the stomach and into your body. Having food in your body can cause severe infection and surgery is the only way to fix this problem.
• Slippage- Lap band slippage is where the band slips from its original and intended location. This can be caused by things like vomiting which has a tendency to dislocate the band.
• Lap Band Erosion- Sometimes the band is actually eroded from inside your body. When this happens your stomach goes back to its normal size. You will need to have another operation to fix this problem.

Lap Band Surgery Precautions To Minimize Side Effects

It is important that you understand these side effects because they can become a reality for you after your procedure. There are some things that you can do to ensure that your chances of side effects are minimized.

• Use the right surgeon- Do research so that you can find a competent and accomplished lap band surgeon. You want someone who has done thousands of procedures. You can ask them about the amounts of patients they work with who have side effects.
• Follow Post Surgery Procedure- The surgeon will give you exact procedures to follow during your healing process. By deviating from the plan you will increase your chances of side effects dramatically. So don’t think you know everything and just listen to what your doctor says.
• Get your Check Ups- There will be several check-ups and lap band fills during your first year. Do not skip these because they are crucial for ensuring that your lap band is working properly. Also if there are any issues the surgeon might be able to correct them before they turn into serious side effects.

You are about to embark on a journey to a new and improved version of yourself. By following the guidelines set out by your doctor you will decrease your chances of having one of these minor or major side effects. Remember that countless people have this surgery performed on an annual basis, and most without any problems. You can be one of those with a little preparation and following of your surgeons instructions.