Lap Band Surgery Complications and Precautions

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Lap Band surgery or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is an ideal weight reduction option for obese patients, with a BMI over 40 or a BMI over 30 if they have one or more obesity related comorbid conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or sleep apnea.



The surgery involves surgical placement of an inflatable silicone band at the top of the stomach in order to restrict the amount of food that your stomach can hold at one time. This adjustable ring is wrapped around the upper part of the stomach and is connected to an access port via tubing. The port is securely fixed beneath the skin to make band adjustments by adding or removing saline from little 'pillows' around inside the lap band.


Complications 


Placement of the adjustable gastric banding is a major surgery and, as with any surgical procedure, complications can occur during or after the surgery. Possible complications include the risks associated with the drugs and methods used during operation, as well as the patient's tolerance to the implanted foreign object.


The general surgical risks include bleeding, infection, nausea and vomiting, and the risks associated with lap band placement include band slippage or erosion (migration), deflation of the band, reflux and obstruction of the stomach. Additional surgery may be required in certain cases.


The complications that occur in connection with lap band can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet and following an exercise plan after the surgery.


Post-operative Considerations 


To ensure success with the lap band surgery, patients are encouraged to comply with exercise program and diet instructions after the procedure.


Immediately after the surgery be sure to get plenty of rest and allow yourself to fully recover from your surgery. If your job is very physically demanding, rest for 2-3 weeks before returning to work. Do not lift anything heavy for at least a couple of weeks.


Exercise program is a key to keeping the weight off, so participate in regular exercise. You can resume your normal activities as well as exercise program. However, you must your bariatric surgeon before engaging in any physical activity to make sure your body is fully recovered. The strenuous exercises such as jogging, riding a bicycle, lifting weights, and swimming should start only after you are completely healed. After you are ready on both the inside and outside of your body, work out for at least 30 minutes daily.


Right after the surgery, you will need to start a new nutrition plan for long-term weight loss success. Carefully follow your surgeon's post-op dietary instructions so that you do not stretch your newly formed small stomach pouch. The postoperative diet is progressed from a liquid diet initially (as only thin liquids will be tolerated by your stomach during the healing period) to pureed foods, and finally to solid foods over the next couple of weeks.


Your continued success with the lap band system largely depends on your ability to commit to a new way of eating. Some simple but important eating and drinking habits that you will need start following are as follows:


Eat three small meals a day. 
Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. 
Avoid drinking any liquids before or during meals. 
Drink a lot of fluids during the day. 
Take only low-calorie drinks.


Always remember that lifestyle change and serious commitment is necessary for the long-term success of lap band system. In the first year following the surgery, your banding device may need to be adjusted several times, with small adjustments in the following years. You are advised to see your lap band surgeon weekly or biweekly in the first month after surgery to ensure your recovery is going well.



Many Americans with weight issues can travel to south of the border to avail cost-effective Lap Band in Mexico. And those US citizens for whom it may not be possible to go out of the country and who want the weight reduction surgery right in the country can avail inexpensive Lap Band in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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