Potential Risks of Lap-band Surgery
A number of studies have shown that Lap-Band surgery is the safest surgical option for treating obesity.
The Lap-Band has a solid safety track record, but every surgical procedure – bariatric and otherwise – has potential risks and complications. Bleeding and infection are the most common risks associated with Lap-band surgery. Obesity, being significantly overweight or having heart, liver or kidney disease can increase the risks of the lap-band procedure. Death is a risk of any surgery.
During Lap-Band surgery, there is a very small potential for injury of the stomach, esophagus, liver or spleen or major blood loss. Rarely, this may require that the surgeons move from laparoscopic surgery to a conventional open approach. Some complications could require hospitalization and/or additional surgery.
Post Lap-Band surgery complications are not generally serious. But at CIBO Clinic we make our patients aware that in some cases, they may experience:
- band slippage (occurs in 1-2% of patients)
- band erosion (occurs in less than 1 in 1000 patients)
- port site pain or displacement
- leakage of the reservoir, tubing or band
We always encourage our patients to contact us immediately 24/7 if they have any painful symptoms or concerns about complications.
For more risk information, you can also visit LAP-BAND® Canada.
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