What are the risks and complications involved with the LAP-BAND procedure?
Any gastric operation for obesity is major surgery and carries with it the risks associated with any complex operation. And although the LAP-BAND procedure is minimally invasive surgery, it is not without its own risks (laparoscopic surgery risks include: spleen or liver damage, damage to major blood vessels, lung problems, blood clots, rupture of the wound, esophagus/stomach perforation). In rare cases, the LAP-BAND surgery cannot be performed using the less invasive laparoscopic approach. For example, if unforeseen problems arise while attempting to position the band, surgeons may have to switch to an open method. In addition, there can be serious complications that may warrant the removal of the LAP-BAND including: • Slippage of additional stomach tissue under the band • Erosion of the band into the stomach • Infection and/or breakage of the injection port (rare) • Gastric symptoms While removal of the band can often be done laparoscopically, in some cases it may require open surger
