Some of the many health risks that are associated with obesity include the following:

• Increased risk for many types of cancer
• Increased chance of having type II diabetes
• Higher risk of developing heart disease
• Increased likelihood of having high blood pressure and stroke
• Higher chance of having joint ailments like arthritis
• Increased likelihood of having breathing problems

How Can Obesity Be Controlled?
Traditionally, obesity has been considered a result of overindulgence in food and lack of exercise. For some people, this is the case. Diet and exercise play an important role in controlling obesity, but in some cases, the extra weight gets in the way to starting a good diet and exercise program.

For those people, weight loss surgery, including lap band Toronto surgery, may be an effective option in getting excess weight under control. When the weight is gone, it’s possible to implement a good exercise plan.

Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery may be a good option for people who have not had weight loss success with non-surgical methods. Weight loss surgery can provide the best results for these individuals, including longer-term loss of weight.

The two most common types of weight loss surgery are lap band Toronto surgery and gastric bypass surgery. There are significant differences between these two weight loss surgery options, and it’s important that those considering weight loss surgery understand the risks and benefits of both options.

What is Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery option that involves several steps, including the following:
• Stapling the stomach to reduce its size
• Bypassing much of the stomach and some of the intestines
• Surgically attaching the intestines to the smaller stomach pouch

This procedure makes it impossible for the patient to eat as much food as they normally would. The shortened intestine also means that the body cannot absorb as many nutrients from the food.

There are some advantages to this weight loss surgery option. They include a rapid loss of weight and a long history of successful use in the United States. Gastric bypass sometimes results in a higher total average loss of weight than is found in patients who have undergone a lap band procedure.

The disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery are significant. The procedure is extremely invasive. Gastric bypass surgery results in more complications than lap band surgery, and patients who have undergone gastric bypass procedures have a difficult time absorbing essential nutrients from their food.

In addition, there are several negative side effects associated with the gastric bypass procedure, including “dumping syndrome” and medical complications. Reversal of gastric bypass surgery is very difficult, and gastric bypass surgery has a mortality rate that is ten times higher than lap band surgery.

What is Lap Band Surgery?
Lap band surgery is a weight loss surgery option that involves placing an adjustable gastric band around the upper portion of a patient’s stomach. This procedure restricts the amount of food the stomach can contain, because it restricts the size of the stomach. It also increases the amount of time it takes for food to pass to the intestines.

The lap band procedure works because it limits the amount of food a patient can eat, slows digestion, and reduces the patient’s appetite. This procedure does not interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Lap band surgery has many advantages, including being minimally invasive, adjustable, and reversible. There is a much lower risk for malnutrition. The short-term mortality rate for lap band surgery is one tenth the mortality rate for gastric bypass, making it a much safer weight loss surgery option.

The disadvantages of lap band surgery are that it results in slower weight loss than gastric bypass surgery, requires follow-up medical visits, and has a small risk of leaking or slipping.

Please note that the lap band is also known as the slimband, or slim band.

The different types of weight loss surgery

There are five different types of weight loss surgery that a person can opt for. Those types are:

•    Vertical Banded Gastroplasty – The stomach is divided into two parts with surgical staples. The upper part is the smaller part so that the intake of food can be reduced. A small opening is placed between the two parts so that food can slowly move into the larger section. There is also a band placed around the opening so that it doesn’t enlarge. There are some complications involving wearing of the band and the staple line breaking down. It is rare, but stomach juices may leak outside of the stomach or infection could result.

•    Lap Band Surgery – A band that is inflatable is used to divide the stomach into a smaller section and a larger section. Just with Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, a small opening allows food to make its way to the larger part of the stomach for digestion. The band is inflated by injecting saline into a valve. Saline can also be taken away. People should be around 100 pounds overweight to receive this surgery and they need to be individuals who have failed at loosing weight through other means that have been supervised by a doctor. Risks are minimal, but some side effects such as heartburn and nausea may exist.

•    Roux-en- Y Gastric Bypass – This surgery is more involved in that the stomach is divided into two parts by surgical staples. However, the small stomach pouch is connected to the middle of the small intestine. This is so food goes directly into the small intestine. The amount of nutrients and calories that are absorbed by the body are reduced. That can have its pros and its cons. Some have been known to become nutritionally deficient. If food moves too quickly through the small intestine, “Dumping Syndrome” can occur.

•    Biliopancreatic Diversion – This is a procedure that is not used in the United States because it involves removing a part of the stomach and then connecting the remainder to the end of the small intestine. Basically, the food is deposited into the colon around the area in which bile and digestive juices are still mixed with the food. This is the least frequently used method because of nutritional deficiencies.

•    Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy – This is a procedure that only 15 surgeons worldwide perform. It restricts the amount of food a person can take in. There is no bypassing of the intestines, but the stomach is basically cut in half vertically rather than divided into two horizontal halves. The larger part is removed.

If you’re considering surgery

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, you now know of five different types of surgery. Yes, two of these are not performed as often as the others, but it is still good to know they exist in case these methods are available to you. Each has its pros, it’s cons and each have their own risks. Be mindful of all of it.

If you are considering weight loss surgery, Lap Band surgery may be an option for you. There are many reputable Lap Band clinics in Toronto, but before you make an appointment, make sure to do your research. Below are a few things to consider if you are thinking about undergoing Lap Band surgery for weight loss.

Cost

Lap Band surgery in Toronto and other parts of Canada can be very costly. You’ll have to research the different Lap Band clinics to find out specific information related to cost. In many cases, medical insurance will not cover the cost of bariatric surgery. Consider whether you’re willing to finance your own surgery through loans or credit cards should it be necessary.

Eligibility

Many different factors are considered by doctors in determining whether you are eligible for Lap Band surgery or not. In order to qualify for surgery, you must be between the ages of 18 and 55, and at least 100 pounds overweight. Alternatively, you may have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of between 35 and 40+ or (or a BMI of 35 with significant co’morbidity). You must be in reasonably good health and you must report any current or past medical problems. Patients with severe and permanent medical conditions are considered ineligible for bariatric surgery.

In order to determine if you are a candidate for Lap Band surgery several exams are required prior to scheduling surgery. Required tests include: EKG, Upper G.I. Series, Gallbladder Ultrasound, Chest X’Ray, Blood & Urine Analysis.

Risks

As with any type of major surgery, there are general risks associated with undergoing a major procedure. These risks can be worse for overweight patients.
Most of the common complications associated with lap band surgery will take place after the surgery. Most patients will experience one type of complication or other in the weeks and months following lap band surgery.

Common Complications
- Nausea & Vomiting: 50% of patients
- Regurgitation/Gastro Esophageal reflux: 1/3 of patients
- Slippage of the band: 1/4 of patients
- Blockage in the passage between the two sections of the stomach: 1 in 7 pages
- Difficulty in swallowing (dysphasia), constipation and diarrhea

More Serious Complications
- Erosion of the band into the stomach
- Twisting or leakage of the access port

Rare Complications
- Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) – less than 1%
- Migration of the stomach above the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Gas/flatulence
- Chest pain
- Infection

Commitment
Though the surgery can technically be reversed by removing the Lap Band, you must remember that Lap Band surgery is considered a lifelong commitment that is intended to help keep the weight off. With that being said, living with the lap band will require a total lifestyle change. Some of the changes you can expect include the following:

- You’ll have to learn new eating habits. While you are learning these new eating habits you can expect vomiting to occur.
- For up to three days following surgery, you will only be allowed to consume clear liquids in small amounts.
- Solid foods will be allowed only after clear liquids and soft foods are kept down.
- Progression to solid foods is slow and varies from one patient to another. Initially, one starts with 8 teaspoons of food, which must be eaten slowly. You must stop eating as soon as you start to feel full or you may vomit.

Average Weight Loss

It is difficult to estimate how much weight you will lose monthly or annually following Lap Band surgery, especially since results vary for everyone depending on your age, height, metabolism, level of activity, etcetera. However, patients who follow the new eating patterns carefully and exercise daily can hope to lose more than 30 kilos (or 65 pounds) in the first year.

Conclusion

If after considering all these factors you still think Lap Band surgery may be for you, the next step is to talk to a doctor about your situation. Research Lap Band clinics in Toronto and make an appointment to discuss surgery with a specialist.

CIBO clinic’s adjustable gastric band offers the safest, sustainable results in weight loss by reducing the amount of food your stomach can hold. You can lose weight without hunger and feel full longer with support before and after your Lap Band Surgery.

Weight loss surgeries have been performed over many decades now and it has always carried with it the risks involved. Lot of deaths has been reported traditionally of people who have taken these surgeries for weight loss. However, today with the advancement in surgical procedures we have surgeries like Lap Band surgery which greatly reduces the risks involved.

Although, lap band surgery is relatively less risky, it carries with itself the same kind of risks that any other surgery would have for obese people along with many other specific complications. These complications can sometimes be very severe.

Some of the Risks of Lap Band Surgery are:

- Inflammation and infection of the stomach
- Inflammation of pancreas
- Bleeding of the gastro intestinal path
- Chest infection
- Stomach pain and bleeding
- Hernia

The first weeks and months after the surgery are especially days one would need to watch out for these complications. Vomiting, nausea and headache are also common during the recovery time after surgery.

The most important factor while considering any of these surgeries is the skill level of the physician. You have to check with the previous patients he has handled and how good are they maintaining their health and weight. The after care procedure prescribed by the doctor after the lap band surgery should be followed religiously. Usually, you will be put on a liquid diet for a period of few days after surgery. A regular routine of diet and exercises will be introduced over a period of time.

The way weight loss surgery works is by reprogramming the way your digestive system functions. It either ties the stomach with a band so that it reduces your body’s capacity to take food or bypass a portion of the food passage so that a good part of the food’s calories do not get absorbed and get eliminated.

With all the risks and complications involved, it is easy to wonder if surgery for weight loss is actually worth it! ]]> http://www.lapband-info.com/risks-of-gastric-lap-band-surgery-is-it-worth-the-risk/feed/ 0