The major risks associated with gastric banding are significantly less than other forms of bariatric surgery. Since the banding procedure does not involve opening of the gastric cavity and there is no cutting, stapling or bypassing, most of the side effects and potential for infection usually associated with obesity surgery are avoided.
Possible Complications:
The most significant problem associated with gastric banding has been alteration in the size of the stomach pouch which is isolated above the band. This pouch may enlarge in some cases, due to slippage of the band, or stretching of the wall of the pouch. In addition, there is the potential for band erosion into the stomach.
Other possible risks or complications include:
&bullBand leakage, reflux or vomiting , erosion of band into stomach , difficulty swallowing , enlargement of stomach pouch or band slippage , dehydration , no weight loss , blockage of stomach outlet , gas bloat , nausea , constipation, ulceration , weight regain , gastritis ,
Remember, one of the major advantages of the gastric band is that it can be removed or replace if any of these complications become serious or life-threatening.
You should discuss potential risks and complications with your surgeon.
Risks of Obesity:
Obesity is emerging as a health epidemic around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is rapidly spreading across all regions and demographic groups. The prevalence of obesity has increased more than 60% in the past decade. A quarter of the U.S. population is obese and another 97 million Americans are overweight or at risk of becoming obese.
Morbid Obesity:
A person who generally weighs at least twice or 100 pounds more than his or her ideal weight or has a BMI of 40 or more is diagnosed as morbidly obese. The National Institutes of Health report that morbid obesity may considerably reduce life expectancy and is associated with an increased risk of developing conditions or diseases such as:
