Overeating is one of the most common causes of obesity all around the world, and very often this becomes an integral part of the individual’s dietary habits. This form of continuous overeating is very unhealthy and can even lead to various disorders and this only aggravates the problem further.
In cases of morbid or extreme obesity, where diet and exercise alone have not helped you lose enough weight- and keep it at bay, lap band surgery is an option that can be considered.
Lap band surgery is basically a weight loss surgery. A silicone band that can be adjusted, is put across the upper part of the stomach of the person thus creating what one can call, a very “small stomach”. Naturally, one feels full after eating very little food as this new stomach gets filled very quickly; and when you go on eating limited amounts of food over a period of time, you begin to lose weight!
This type of surgery, as mentioned earlier, is designed for patients with morbid obesity; i.e. when your BMI is 40 or greater- or between 35-40.
Lap band surgery involves creating a small pouch in the upper part of the abdomen that eventually becomes a new baby stomach. This is done by wrapping the saliastic band around the upper portion of the stomach. This narrow opening is formed by the two ends of the bands joining together.
The saliastic band has a balloon above it which can be increased or reduced so as to increase or decrease the size of stoma. This particular can be done anytime after the operation.
Now the food consumed by the person even now goes down the normal way and is digested in the stomach and bowel normally.
The only, and the biggest, difference is that this new pouch allows a small amount of food to be fitted inside it at one point of time and as a result, satisfaction is achieved and your hunger will subside until the pouch eventually empties into the duodenum. So you are full even after you have a small amount of solid food and hence, your consumption of food can be restricted to two tiny meals a day with no meals in between.
Even though adjustable gastric-band surgery is usually safe and effective, lap band side effects do exist. A lot of companies make the band that is used in the surgery.
For example, Allergan manufactures the trademarked Lap-Band device. During the surgery, a surgeon wraps the band across the upper stomach, creating a smaller pouch that empties into the larger, lower part of the stomach.
This results in patients feeling full after eating small food portions. 89 percent of patients reported at least one adverse event following surgery. The following are the possible lap band surgery side effects:-
Lap Band Surgery Side Effects
Band Slippage
Most of the time, the Lap-Band device slides down the larger stomach pouch, resulting in the tightening of the band. The problem may occur if the band is placed too loosely, that is, if too few stitches were placed, or even if the patient eats a meal that’s too large.
Band slippage occurs in 24 percent of cases. This problem can be solved by a physician who can reposition or tighten the band device.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a normal side effect of Lap-Band surgery. It can lead to heartburn. While this particular condition can be treated with over-the-counter antacid medication, it should also be reported to the physician treating the person in question.
Sometimes, if the patient suddenly develpos problems a long time after the acid reflux has been conducted, the condition could be triggered by a band slippage.
Band Erosion
Band erosion is a serious potential side effect of Lap-Band surgery. The condition develops when the band device rubs against and eventually erodes into the stomach. Band erosion is rare.
Dr. Ren, in her study, noted that the condition occurred in less than 1 percent of her Lap-Band patients. In this condition, a person begins to notice that he is able to eat more than before. If left untreated, band erosion can led to a serios infection.
To treat the problem, a surgeon must surgically remove and reposition the band.
Post-Surgery Infection
A surgeon does not have to enter the gastric cavity to perform the lap band surgery. On the contrary, the surgery requires just a few, tiny incisions, normally less than half an inch.
This greatly minimizes the risk of infection. In a 2002 article for the American Journal of Surgery, Dr. Christine J. Ren wrote that in one study post-operative infection occurred in 4 percent of Lap-Band patients.
All of the infections were successfully treated with antibiotics. One patient did develop further complications that were successfully treated.
The Diet that needs to be followed after lap band surgery is very different from what you were used to eating before. Your dietician will plan a special diet suited to your requirements and tastes.
This diet focuses on total avoidance of foods that cause discomfort, or which may cause acidity and heart burn. You will be advised to drink liquids in small sips.You will also need vitamin supplements to meet the nutritional requirements of your body.
Lap band surgery catalyzes weight loss and, as a result,improves your health. So you will have higher self-confidence and energy to live an active and fulfilling life!