LR, I've heard pros and cons about this procedure. It is less invasive (you don't have to cut open the belly cavity) so there is less risk for infection. There have been instances of the band penetrating the stomach after time. There are too many variables to really say "THIS IS IT", the Holy Grail of mechanical weight loss.
Posts: 9086 | Location: PA, USA | Registered: 06-05-02
The good news about the lap band is that it's a much safer operation than gastric bypass: there's no cutting of the stomach itself, no suturing of the intestine, so virtually no chance of leaks, which are responsible for the vast majority of operative complications and deaths associated with the bypass operation. It's done laparascopially, under general anesthesia: there are, as with any surgery, risks associated with anesthesia in a very large person, the same with either operation; but the lap band takes less than an hour usually, which adds to anesthesia safety, as well. The bad news is just that weight loss may be less dramatic than with bypass: which means there aren't the potential nutritional consequences, but it can be less satisfactory. I know of several people who had it, and they tend to be very happy with it. One interesting thing about any surgical weight reduction surgery is that there is often loss of appetite that is separate from the smaller eating capacity: it seems there are neural and/or hormonal factors involved with banding or sewing the top of the stomach. Finally, the lap band can erode into the stomach -- newer techniques have made it very rare; when it happens it doesn't cause acute problems, because it happens slowly and the stomach heals behind it. It just stops working.
Posts: 1505 | Location: Puget Sound, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
I have taken care of many patients after having the surgery in ICU and in Recovery room post surgury. Of coarse working in ICU I see the ones that go bad. Typically they have lots of other health issues prior to surgery. I was considering this surgery and after talking with a few nurses they suggested- why not just try putting your self on a very strict diet. When you have the surgery you only eat like a few tablespoons of food at a time. If you eat more you could rip your sutures and/ or vomit. Why not try a medically supervised diet plan and exercise before going under the knife. I am not one to follow this advice either but I have lost weight slowly with a sensible diet plan. It would have been nice to lose it faster. But I think I am healthier for it. Good Luck!
Nursey.. you have taken care of LAP-BAND patients that "went bad"?
I was given to understand there were minimal sutures.. and used primarily a "belt" that is constricted around the stomach.
Do you mean you have taken care of "Gastic Bypass" surgeries that have "Gone bad"? I have taken care of many of those myself in the Home Health Arena also.
Posts: 9086 | Location: PA, USA | Registered: 06-05-02
