Lapband is a type of medical procedure designed to help individuals lose weight. The procedure is only done on those defined as obese or severely obese. If you're thinking about having Lapband done, you should be aware of some of the risks and dangers associated with the procedure. Only then can you make educated decision.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common side effects and dangers reported by patients who went through the Lapband procedure. They commonly complain about pain in their abdomen but may also feel pain in other parts of their body. At times, the pain can become so severe that the individual has difficulties maintaining their schedule or going about their daily activities. The pain may keep them in bed for extended periods of time.
Effects
If you plan on having the Lapband procedure, you should also be aware of the fact that it doesn't work the same on all individuals. Some report no changes at all in their body weight. You may be one of the patients who don't see any results from the procedure, or you may lose only a small amount. When this happens, you may need to have the band removed from your stomach, which means going through surgery again.
Costs
The cost is another concern with the Lapband. The procedure is fairly expensive and typically not covered under insurance. You'll need to find the money for the procedure yourself, and this is a hardship for many people in today's economy. It could involve taking out a loan just to pay for a procedure that may or may not help you lose weight. Insurance companies typically only pay for the Lapband procedure if you're severely overweight.
Erosion
The Lapband puts pressure on the stomach because of the way it's placed around the organ, which can result in certain dangers. The greatest danger is something known as erosion. This often occurs when the band is left inside the body for several months or years. The material in the Lapband can erode in the body and cause side effects such as vomiting. When this happens, the doctor will need to remove the Lapband.
Liver Problems
The liver can also be affected by the Lapband procedure. Bile builds up in the liver because the band forces the stomach to digest only small amounts of food at a time. This buildup of bile leads to medical problems, including erosion of the band, vomiting, stomach indigestion and other problems. A small number of users are forced to have the band removed because of the way it affects their liver. There are even situations where doctors recommend patients with liver problems not have the procedure.
Death
The greatest danger associated with the Lapband is death, though this does only occur in a very small number of cases. When you have the procedure done, you're going on the operating table, getting anesthesia and having your body cut open. All of these are risk factors for death. Additionally, the Lapband can cause a buildup of bacteria in the stomach that the body can't fight. This, too, can lead to death.
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