Lapband Complications Summary

NancyRN · June 27, 2006

Hi all,

The complications data in the Inamed patient booklet are reported in order of frequency. I find it hard to make sense of them that way, because I tend to think chronologically. Here is my attempt to organize the information into operative and postoperative phases. I apologize if you have trouble comparing the percentages. I originally set this up as a table, but none of that format transferred to this post.

The most amazing information is that 88% OF PATIENTS HAVE COMPLICATIONS.

Does this mean we shouldn't have weight loss surgery? Well, no. You have to remember to compare information on complications to the known risks of continuing morbid obesity. Does this mean we shouldn't have Lap-Band surgery? That one's trickier to answer. You need to compare effectiveness, complications, cost etc. of the various surgeries to find the answer that's right for you.

If you're considering Lap-Band surgery, it's important to be aware of the overall complication rate, as well as those of the types of complications. You may well decide to get the Lap-Band (I have), but you'll be better prepared for complications, knowing that you may well encounter them during your recovery.

NancyRN

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From US clinical study of 239 patients 3 years after surgery (Citation? Date?)

As reported in, “A Surgical Aid in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity:

Lap-Band System Information for Patients” (Inamed booklet)

(Note: the following complications are not mutually exclusive, that is, patients could have more than one)

Problem/ Percentage

Overall Complication Rate: 88%

During surgery:

Death 0%

Gastric perforation 1%

After surgery:

Major complications:

Band slippage or pouch dilatation 24%

Stoma obstruction 14%

Poor esophageal function 11%

Erosion 1.3%

Side effects:

Nausea & vomiting 51%

Gastroesophageal reflux 34%

Constipation, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing 9%

Other 1 %

Second surgery: 18%

Band problems 9%

Stoma problems 9%

Band removal: 25%

By choice 9%

Due to adverse event(s) 16%

By laparoscopy 60%

By open procedure 40%

julissa1974 · June 27, 2006

Just had mine and as I noted I had the exit so swollen from irritation that I couldnt get anything don and had to be readmitted. I am now on Clear Liquids for 10 days and hating life! I knew this could happen but people rarely talk about it here and believe me I was scared. I really have begun to doubt what I have done as I am so weak. Good side- I have lost 28lbs, bad part - in ten days! I feel like a holocaust victim! Yes I am a drama queen but you arent going through this. Oh and the vomitting business post op hurts like hell. I was so scared my band was going to slip!

lisah25 · June 27, 2006

If you're considering Lap-Band surgery, it's important to be aware of the overall complication rate, as well as those of the types of complications. You may well decide to get the Lap-Band (I have), but you'll be better prepared for complications, knowing that you may well encounter them during your recovery.

I think this is a VERY important point. I think if I go into this surgery expecting that everything will just be perfect and easy, it will be harder to deal with anything that does come up.

Thanks for posting this.

hootiebelle · June 28, 2006

Dr C told her it was a old study

Cynthia J. · June 28, 2006

What is erosion and how does this happen? How does the band slip also. He told me it was sutured in some I'm confused.

hootiebelle · June 28, 2006

she posted the same thing 20 min before she made this post on 6/26 with the old info...... and got a response from Dr. C

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=247806#post247806

she has this old outdated post running in 2 places!!!

NancyRN · June 29, 2006

HootieBelle,

I'm troubled by the tone of your message. First of all, I didn't know the data was outdated. Perhaps you didn't notice the words "Citation? Date?" that I included in the top of my post, which were intended to alert others that it might be outdated? Second, I hadn't yet received the reply from Dr. C before I posted it on the other site. Third, I posted in 2 areas because I wanted it to help people going to either area. Is there something wrong with doing this? And finally, my only intent was to help others. It's unfortunate you took it so negatively.

NancyRN

hootiebelle · June 29, 2006

I am sorry... you posted it 20 min apart on 2 threads.........It was outdated and shouldn't be out there to scare people...I think we should be careful what we post more so when we duplicate it......I am sorry you are troubled......If you even thought it was outdated why did you bother to post unless you knew it was all factual?????