15+ Pros And Cons Of Lap Band Surgery (Explained)

You may achieve and surpass your weight-loss objectives with the aid of the Lap-Band Program. It is an adjustable gastric band that aids in regulating how much food you may consume at one time.

A gastric band is wrapped around your stomach during the minimally invasive Lap-Band Procedure, which is performed as an outpatient procedure. Your food intake is restricted by the band to make you feel full more quickly and for longer.

Pros Of Lap Band SurgeryCons Of Lap Band Surgery
Less Serious Short-Term ComplicationsLess weight loss
Lesser cost of surgeryPossibility of the band slipping
ReversibleNeeds proper management
Less invasiveThe band is a foreign body
Quick recoveryRequires a strict diet
Effective for weight lossNot suitable for people living in remote areas
Short stay at hospitalErosion of the band
No Dumping SyndromeHigher probabilities of weight regain

I/C:

DIET OPTIONS TO KEEP IN MIND AFTER LAP BAND SURGERY

Foods to avoid 

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber.
  • Bread as they can block the opening of the band.
  • Meat and dairy need to be avoided.
  • Green salads are difficult to pass through the band.

Advice to follow-

  • Eat as slowly as possible and chew your food.
  • Even if you eat meat, ensure it is tender and not chewy
  • Chew your food every two times 
  • Stay in constant touch with your dietician.

Advantages Of Lap Band Surgery

Less Serious Short-Term Complications

The patient can resume a regular lifestyle after a few weeks of recuperation once the band has been successfully placed and adjusted. The pain and the discomfort don’t last very long.

Lesser Cost Of Surgery

Lap band surgery costs far less than other medical procedures, including weight loss operations. While gastric bypass surgery costs $25 per person, lap band surgery averages approximately $19,000. The least expensive procedure, nevertheless, costs only $15,000.

Reversible

Incisions are performed during other bariatric procedures. You still have wounds to treat, and your stomach has unsightly scars that won’t go away.

There wouldn’t be much you could do if the procedure went wrong in any manner, so you would just have to deal with the negative results.

The best thing about having a lap band is that you can always get it taken off if you experience unfavorable side effects. It only takes a few minutes to complete the removal using a laparoscope.

Less Invasive

It is less invasive than other bariatric procedures, as the surgeon uses a laparoscope to insert a rubber band over the top region of the stomach in place of making incisions.

Also, if you feel uncomfortable, the lap band is taken out in the same manner that it was put in. This procedure leaves no scars or wounds behind.

Quick Recovery

Lap band surgery is very gentle and quick. It hardly takes an hour, and the patients are allowed to go home on the same day as the surgery. At most, they are asked to stay overnight. As there are no sutures or incisions, it has such severe complications.

Effective For Weight Loss

Even though this operation cannot achieve the same level of weight reduction as other bariatric procedures, it is nevertheless a useful method for shedding extra pounds.

Compared to other weight reduction methods, like exercise and dieting, this treatment results in far greater weight loss.

Short Stay At The Hospital

Hospitals are no fun places to stay. Lap band surgeries being only an hour’s work makes the stay at the hospital as short as possible. 

No Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome is a group of symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, and feeling light-headed or tired after a meal, that is caused by rapid gastric emptying. Patients who have undergone bariatric procedures like gastric bypass frequently experience this adverse effect.

It results from the wound that is left over from cutting the greater portion of the stomach out. Dumping syndrome is avoided with lap band surgery since there is no incision made.

I/C: What to expect after lap band surgery

  • Patients lose weight quickly in the first 3 to 6 months.
  • They experience body aches, fatigue, dry skin, mood swings, hair fall, or hair thinning.
  • They can feel full very quickly. 
  • Some foods may cause pain or discomfort.
  • Serious food cravings are observed
  • Regular appointments with dieticians are required
  • Feeling tired and sleepy is normal

Disadvantages Of Lap Band Surgery

Less Weight Loss

The primary drawback of lap band surgery is that, compared to other procedures, it produces less weight reduction. Less weight loss occurs after lap band surgery because the hormone that makes people crave more food is still present.

The distinction arises from the fact that other bariatric procedures reduce satiety and remove the bigger portion of the stomach.

Possibility Of The Band Slipping

The band that is placed around the stomach isn’t always anchored to the stomach; therefore, slippage might happen sometimes. Patients should consider this risk while deciding which weight loss surgery to have.

Needs Proper Management

It requires proper aftercare. The patient has to follow a strict diet. He has to avoid foods like fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber, green salads, bread, meat, and dairy, as they can hinder the band’s opening. He also has to have a few follow-up appointments with the doctor.

The Band Is A Foreign Body

Some people’s bodies respond negatively to foreign bodies. They can experience ongoing nausea and pain or excessive scar tissue surrounding the band. The band might need to be taken off in certain circumstances. 

Requires A Strict Diet

The patient has to follow a strict diet to speed up their recovery. Firstly, he isn’t allowed to have anything for several hours after the surgery. For the first two weeks, only fluids are allowed. After 3-4 weeks, he can start having three meals a day consisting of puree. 

Not Suitable For People Living In Remote Areas

This surgery is not suitable for people living in remote areas as they might not have access to appropriate and intensive care. It requires proper care and frequent follow-up appointments with the doctor for a quick recovery.

Erosion Of The Band

Over time, the band may dissolve through your stomach as a result of friction from pressing against your esophagus or stomach. This renders the band useless and raises the risk of infection. Removal is typically the answer.

Higher Probabilities Of Weight Regain

The hormones that regulate fullness are not in any way impacted by this procedure because no portion of the stomach is removed.

The patient may become used to their increased stomach size if physical activity and a healthy lifestyle are not continued after the treatment.

When this occurs, the patient will be able to eat the same quantity of food they did before the operation, resulting in a weight increase.


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