Lap Band Surgery FAQs - Common Questions About Lap Band Surgery

Lap Band Surgery FAQs
Weight Loss Surgery Mexico
Q: Will I be sick a lot after the lap band operation?
A: The lap band limits food intake. If you feel nauseous or sick on a regular basis, it may mean you are not chewing your food well. It can also mean you are not following the diet rules properly. .
Another reason you may feel sick is because there is a problem with the placement of the lap band. In such a case you should contact your doctor.

Vomiting should be avoided as much as possible. It can cause the small stomach pouch to stretch. It can also lead to slippage of part of the stomach through the lap band. This can reduce the success of the lap band operation. In some cases, it can also require another operation.

Q: Will I suffer from constipation?
A: There may be some reduction in the volume of your stools. That's normal after a decrease in food intake, because you eat less fiber. This should not cause severe problems. If difficulties do arise, check with your doctor. He or she may suggest you take a mild laxative and drink plenty of water for a while. Drinking plenty of water is a good idea anyway. Your needs will vary, but you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day.

Q: Will I need to take vitamin supplements?
A: You may. It's possible you may not get enough vitamins from three small meals a day. At your regular check-ups, your specialist will evaluate whether you are getting enough vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. Your lap band surgeon may advise you to take supplements.

Q: What about other medication?
A: You should be able to take prescribed medication. You may need to use capsules or break big tablets in half or dissolve them in water so they do not get stuck in the stoma and make you sick. You should always ask the doctor who prescribes the drugs about this. Your lap band surgeon may tell you to avoid taking aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. That's because they may irritate the stomach. The problems these drugs may cause can mean the lap band will need to be removed.

Q: What about pregnancy?
A: Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the lap band can be loosened. After the pregnancy, the lap band may be made tighter again. Then you can go back to losing weight.

Q: Can the lap band be removed?
A: Although the lap band is not meant to be removed it can be. In some cases this can be done laparoscopically. Lap band surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the lap band is removed. After the removal, though, you may soon go back up to your original weight. You may also gain more.

Q: What if I go out to eat?
A: Order only a small amount of food, such as an appetizer. Eat slowly. Finish at the same time as your table companions. You might want to let your host or hostess know in advance that you cannot eat very much.

Q: What about alcohol?
A: Alcohol has a high number of calories. It also breaks down vitamins. An occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage, though, is not considered harmful to weight loss.

Q: Will I need plastic surgery for the surplus skin when I have lost a lot of weight?
A: That is not always the case. As a rule plastic surgery will not be considered for at least a year or two after the lap band operation. Sometimes the skin will mold itself around the new body tissue. You should give the skin the time it needs to adjust before you decide to have more surgery.

Q: What will happen if I become ill?
A: One of the major advantages of the lap band is that it can be adjusted. If your illness requires you to eat more, the lap band can be loosened. This can be done by removing saline from it. When you have recovered from your illness and want to lose weight again, the lap band can be tightened. This can be done by increasing the amount of saline. If the lap band cannot be loosened enough, it may have to be removed.

Q: How is the lap band adjusted?
A: Lap band adjustments are often carried out in the X-ray department. They are done there so the reservoir can be clearly seen. When X-rays are used, your reproductive organs should be shielded. Sometimes lap band adjustments can be done in an outpatient clinic or office. Local anesthesia may or may not be needed. A fine needle is passed through the skin into the reservoir to add or subtract saline. This process most often takes only a few minutes. Most patients say it is nearly painless.

Q: How much weight will I lose?
A: The amount of weight you may lose depends on several things. The lap band needs to be in the right position. And you need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. In the U.S. clinical trial, 2% of patients gained some weight. 5% neither gained, nor lost weight (t5%). 61% of the patients lost at least 25% of their excess weight. 52% of the patients lost at least 33% of their excess weight. 22% lost at least 50% of their excess weight, and 10% lost at least 75% of their excess weight.

You should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too fast creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. Nausea and vomiting are only the most minor examples. A weight loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the lap band operation is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Twelve to 18 months after the lap band operation, weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that your main goal is to have a weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with severe obesity.