Lap Banders....Come On Down!!!
I need your help to do a very unofficial survey as a result of something I read today on the boards of OH. Can you please take a few minutes to do this for me. ***edited to not include my email address. Everyone would like to see the survey results here. Ok I say!
I will compile my findings and let you know the results within a few days time. I will post them on OH's Lap Band Board and Main Board, And Facebooks OH Boards and If I'm feeling froggy, I may even paste it on Lap Band Talk..
Thanks for playing.
Tiff
1. Are you a lap band patient?
2. Have you experienced any of the following: Vomiting, PB, Stuck Food, "Bringing food back", Regurgitation.
3. Have you experienced any of the following: Dehydration requiring IV fluids, Vomiting requiring hospital intervention
4. Have you experienced any band complications requiring a secondary surgery to repair the port, tubing or band.
5. Have you experienced any other complications related to the band requiring a second surgery IE. Gall bladder
6. Have you had an elective surgery to replace your port to a lower profile version or new band version.
7. How satisfied are you: 1 being VERY, 2 being Somewhat, 3 being Not really, 4 being NOT satisfied at all.. BOO!
8. Have you died as a complication of the band?
9. If you could do it over, would you get the band versus another WLS option like RNY, VGS, DS...
10. Do you report fewer co-morbidity's as a result of your surgical weight loss?
Tiff
Current MD- Dr. Mikami, Honolulu Hawaii
Lapband 14cc AP Lg in 2008- slipped and removed 2016 -VSG July 21, 2016-dx Gerd
** RNY Revision 05/21/2019 **
"A few drops of hope can water and nourish our garden" - Jean M
on 11/24/09 9:32 am, edited 11/24/09 9:40 am - Tuvalu
And I know you're busy, so I'll post this on the Revisions board for you...and, in case you're interested in LEGITIMATE scientific stuff, here's your answers from...let's see...OH...the people who make the band:
Risks, complications, and adverse events you need to know about
All surgical procedures have risks. When you decide on a procedure, you should know what those risks are. Talk with your surgeon in detail about all the risks and complications that might arise. Then you will have the information you need to make the right decision for you.
Back to TopWhat are the general risks?
Using the LAP-BAND® System includes the same risks that come with all major surgeries. There are also added risks in any operation for patients who are seriously overweight. You should know that death is one of the risks. It can occur any time during the operation. It can also occur as a result of the operation. Death can occur despite all the precautions that are taken. There is a risk of gastric perforation (a tear in the stomach wall) during or after the procedure that might lead to the need for another surgery. In the U.S. clinical study this happened in 1% of the patients. There were no deaths during or immediately after surgery in the U.S. study. Your age can increase your risk from surgery. So can excess weight. Certain diseases, whether they were caused by obesity or not, can increase your risk from surgery. There are also risks that come with the medications and the methods used in the surgical procedure. You also have risks that come from how your body responds to any foreign object implanted in it. Published results from past surgeries, however, indicate that LAP-BAND® System surgery may have fewer risks than other surgical treatments for obesity.1,2
Patients can experience complications after surgery. Most complications are not serious but some may require hospitalization and/or re-operation. In the United States clinical study, with 3-year follow-up reported,
88% of the 299 patients had one or more adverse events, ranging from mild, moderate, to severe. Nausea and vomiting (51%), gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation) (34%), band slippage/pouch dilatation (24%) and stoma obstruction (stomach-band outlet blockage) (14%) were the most common post-operative complications. In the study, 25% of the patients had their band systems removed, two-thirds of which were following adverse events. Esophageal dilatation or dysmotility (poor esophageal function****urred in 11% of patients, the long-term effects of which are currently unknown. Constipation, diarrhea and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing****urred in 9% of the patients. In 9% of the patients, a second surgery was needed to fix a problem with the band or initial surgery. In 9% of the patients, there was an additional procedure to fix a leaking or twisted access port. The access port design has been improved. Four out of 299 patients (1.3%) had their bands erode into their stomachs. These bands needed to be removed in a second operation. Surgical techniques have evolved to reduce slippage. Surgeons with more laparoscopic experience and more experience with these procedures report fewer complications.
Adverse events that were considered to be non-serious, and which occurred in less than 1% of the patients, included: esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), hiatal hernia (some stomach above thediaphragm), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), abdominal pain, hernia, incisional hernia, infection, redundant skin, dehydration, diarrhea (frequent semi-solid bowel movements), abnormal stools, constipation, flatulence (gas), dyspepsia (upset stomach), eructation (belching), cardiospasm (an obstruction of passage of food through the bottom of the esophagus), hematemsis (vomiting of blood), asthenia (fatigue), fever, chest pain, incision pain, contact dermatitis (rash), abnormal healing, edema (swelling), paresthesia (abnormal sensation of burning, *****ly, or tingling), dysmenorrhea (difficult periods), hypochromic anemia (low oxygen carrying part of blood), band system leak, cholecystitis (gall stones), esophageal ulcer (sore), port displacement, port site pain, spleen injury, and wound infection. Be sure to ask your surgeon about these possible complications and any of these medical terms that you dont understand.
Is there a chance the device will need to be removed?
The LAP-BAND® System is a long-term implant, but it may have to be removed or replaced at any time. For instance, the device may need to be removed to manage any adverse reactions you might have. The device may also need to be removed, repositioned or replaced if you aren't losing as much weight as you and your doctor feel you should be losing.
Back to TopWhat are the specific risks and possible complications?
Talk to your doctor about all of the following risks and complications:
- Ulceration
- Gastritis (irritated stomach tissue)
- Gastroesophageal reflux (regurgitation)
- Heartburn
- Gas bloat
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Weight regain
- Death
Laparoscopic surgery has its own set of possible problems. They include:
- Spleen or liver damage (sometimes requiring spleen removal)
- Damage to major blood vessels
- Lung problems
- Thrombosis (blood clots)
- Rupture of the wound
- Perforation of the stomach or esophagus during surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. The surgeon may need to switch to an "open" method due to some of the reasons mentioned here. This happened in about 5% of the cases in the U.S. Clinical Study. There are also problems that can occur that are directly related to the LAP-BAND® System:
- The band can spontaneously deflate because of leakage. That leakage can come from the band, the reservoir, or the tubing that connects them.
- The band can slip.
- There can be stomach slippage.
- The stomach pouch can enlarge.
- The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked.
- The band can erode into the stomach.
Obstruction of the stomach can be caused by:
- Food
- Swelling
- Improper placement of the band
- The band being over-inflated
- Band or stomach slippage
- Stomach pouch twisting
- Stomach pouch enlargement
There have been some reports that the esophagus has stretched or dilated in some patients. This could be caused by:
- Improper placement of the band
- The band being tightened too much
- Stoma obstruction
- Binge eating
- Excessive vomiting
Patients with a weaker esophagus may be more likely to have this problem. A weaker esophagus is one that is not good at pushing food through to your stomach. Tell your surgeon if you have difficulty swallowing. Then your surgeon can evaluate this.
Weight loss with the LAP-BAND® System is typically slower and more gradual than with some other weight loss surgeries. Tightening the band too fast or too much to try to speed up weight loss should be avoided. The stomach pouch and/or esophagus can become enlarged as a result. You need to learn how to use your band as a tool that can help you reduce the amount you eat.
Infection is possible. Also, the band can erode into the stomach. This can happen right after surgery or years later, although this rarely happens.
Complications can cause reduced weight loss. They can also cause weight gain. Other complications can result that require more surgery to remove, reposition, or replace the band.
Some patients have more nausea and vomiting than others. You should see your physician at once if vomiting persists.
Rapid weight loss may lead to symptoms of:
- Malnutrition
- Anemia
- Related complications
It is possible you may not lose much weight or any weight at all. You could also have complications related to obesity.
If any complications occur, you may need to stay in the hospital longer. You may also need to return to the hospital later. A number of less serious complications can also occur. These may have little effect on how long it takes you to recover from surgery.
If you have existing problems, such as diabetes, a large hiatal hernia (part of the stomach in the chest cavity), Barretts esophagus (severe, chronic inflammation of the lower esophagus), or emotional or psychological problems, you may have more complications. Your surgeon will consider how bad your symptoms are, and if you are a good candidate for the LAP-BAND® System surgery. You also have more risk of complications if you've had a surgery before in the same area. If the procedure is not done laparoscopically by an experienced surgeon, you may have more risk of complications.
Anti-inflammatory drugs that may irritate the stomach, such as aspirin and NSAIDs, should be used with caution.
Some people need folate and vitamin B12 supplements to maintain normal homocycteine levels. Elevated homocycteine levels can increase risks to your heart and the risk of spinal birth defects.
You can develop gallstones after a rapid weight loss. This can make it necessary to remove your gallbladder.
There have been no reports of autoimmune disease with the use of the LAP-BAND®System. Autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders, though, have been reported after long-term implantation of other silicone devices. These problems can include systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. At this time, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that supports a relationship between connective-tissue disorders and silicone implants. Long-term studies to further evaluate this possibility are still being done. You should know, though, that if autoimmune symptoms develop after the band is in place, you may need treatment. The band may also need to be removed. Talk with your surgeon about this possibility. Also, if you have symptoms of autoimmune disease now, the LAP-BAND®System may not be right for you.
Back to TopRemoving the LAP-BAND® System
If the LAP-BAND® System has been placed laparoscopically, it may be possible to remove it the same way. This is an advantage of the LAP-BAND® System. However, an "open" procedure may be necessary to remove a band. In the U.S. Clinical Study, 60% of the bands that were removed were done laparoscopically. Surgeons report that after the band is removed, the stomach returns to essentially a normal state.
At this time, there are no known reasons to suggest that the band should be replaced or removed at some point unless a complication occurs or you do not lose weight. It is difficult, though, to say whether the band will stay in place for the rest of your life. It may need to be removed or replaced at some point. Removing the device requires a surgical procedure. That procedure will have all the related risks and possible complications that come with surgery. The risk of some complications, such as erosions and infection, increase with any added procedure.
*SAGES/ASBS Guidelines for Laparoscopic and Conventional Surgical Treatment of Morbid Obesity. American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
http://asbs.org/html/guidelines.html
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*** I hope you see folks why some people stray away from this board. This type of immature response to my post is uncalled for and this person single-handedly brings negativity to your barrel of apples. I actually feel a little saddened for those who are stuck being associated with this person's negativity on a daily basis.
Tiff
Current MD- Dr. Mikami, Honolulu Hawaii
Lapband 14cc AP Lg in 2008- slipped and removed 2016 -VSG July 21, 2016-dx Gerd
** RNY Revision 05/21/2019 **
"A few drops of hope can water and nourish our garden" - Jean M
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Tiff
Current MD- Dr. Mikami, Honolulu Hawaii
Lapband 14cc AP Lg in 2008- slipped and removed 2016 -VSG July 21, 2016-dx Gerd
** RNY Revision 05/21/2019 **
"A few drops of hope can water and nourish our garden" - Jean M