While lap-band surgery can be a great way to lose weight, there are a number of complications highlighted in this article that need to be taken into account before undergoing any operation.
Lap-band surgery is a relatively new development in weight-loss, developed in the mid-90s. While the procedure can greatly improve the health and well being of those who have it done, there are a number of complications that can negatively affect your lifestyle, some of them very serious. Before taking the big step in your life to tackle obesity in this way, consider the complications that you may come into contact with.
The procedure of lap-band or gastric band surgery is not one that can be decided on lightly. The actual effect of the operation is that the physical size of the stomach will be altered, causing major shifts in the make-up of your body. What follows is a summary of the potential complications of lap-band surgery:
Stomach ulcers can come about due to stress from the band installation. While these probably will not be life threatening, they can cause great pain and negatively affect the quality of your life. There is medicine available to combat stomach ulcers, but their full elimination may be dependent on the removal of your gastric band.
It is possible that the gastric band can start to erode while inside the stomach and cause major problems, which may be irreversible. As the band starts to penetrate the wall of the stomach, internal bleeding or a leak of gastric contents can occur within the body, and will require emergency help. Gastritis is another lap-band complication and refers to the tissue of the stomach becoming irritated due to the placement of a foreign object in the body. This is possible if the patient does not strictly follow the post-operation diet.
Think about this surgery in depth before making any final decisions.
