Lap Band Challenges

Besides the standard risks associated with surgeries, including bleeding and infection, there are things to be wary of specific to Lap Band Surgery.

While laparoscopic surgery is the chosen method for most surgeons, a lap band patient’s surgeon may need to operate with an "open" method. This happened in about 5% of the cases, according to a U.S. clinical report.

Problems that can be directly related to the lap band system can include slippage of the band, erosion of the lap band, deflation of the band, and blockage involving the stoma.

Other risk factors for patients to think over when they talk with their lap band specialist include the age of the patient, excess weight, medications and methods needed in the surgery, and the possibility one’s body will not take to the installation of a foreign device.