The LapBand weight loss surgery procedure is considered a major operation. Therefore, there are possible complications and side effects. The surgeon reviews the benefits and risks of surgery with each patient in detail prior to the procedure, so that potential patients may take these into consideration before making a final decision to move forward with weight loss surgery. Complications can occur both early after surgery and later during the recovery period. Although no surgery is risk-free, AtlantiCare's program takes steps to minimize the chance of complications with:
- Proper treatment
- Monitoring
- Support
- Management
Potential Early Complications Following Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery:
- Bleeding, with a remote possibility of splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen)
- Respiratory complications (such as pneumonia)
- Perforation (hole) in the esophagus or stomach
- Dilatation (stretching) of the esophagus
- Slipped band
- Band too tight, causing vomiting and obstruction
- Death (1 in 2,000 cases)
Potential Later Recovery Period Problems:
- Band erosion into the stomach, causing heartburn and/or weight gain
- Over inflation of the band, causing vomiting or obstruction
- Port site infection
- Port site or catheter site leak
- Re-operation (15 to 30 percent of cases)
- Persistent vomiting (in some cases resulting from not following the program’s dietary guidelines)
- Regained weight or lack of weight loss (in some cases resulting from not following the program’s dietary guidelines)
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