Can the Risks of Lap Band Surgery be Life Threatening?

By:Amy Nutt

You've tried all the diets out there, feel like you've worked yourself to the bone exercising, but nothing seems to work. Obesity makes you feel lousy, and you just want to get your life back. You may be thinking of getting weight loss lap band surgery, and wondering about the risks. Is it all easy street after the surgery, or will you be at risk for further health problems-- or even death?

The answer, unfortunately, is that you will. Lapband surgery is major surgery and like any major one, it comes with a whole host of risks. And yes, one of those risks is death. Sounds pretty scary, doesn't it?

While lap band surgery isn't a decision to be entered into lightly, if you're considering the surgery, you shouldn't let the risk of death scare you too much. Lap band surgery was approved for use in 2001, and gets safer and safer all the time. In fact, the death rate for this surgery, which is at a nationwide rate of 3 or fewer deaths in 10,000 surgeries, is even lower than routine surgeries such as hernia repair surgery. Major surgery is always risky, but lap band is one of the safer surgeries you can have, as far as death rate is concerned.

Phew. That's a relief, right? While death during the surgery itself is highly improbable, it's important to keep in mind that the surgery comes with quite a number of other risks, some of them serious. About 1% of lap band surgical patients, for example, experience stomach perforation, which is a very serious complication. In addition, nearly 90% --yes, 90 percent-- of lap band surgical patients experience some complications during or (more usually) after the surgery.

What are the normal complications and how are they treated? Generally the post-operative complications that arise from lap band surgery are vomiting or regurgitation, slippage or deflation of the lap band, or obstruction of the stomach. Fortunately, most of the complications that arise are treatable, usually by making adjustments in the patient's diet.

So, yes, lap band surgery can kill you. But no, it doesn't happen often, and happens a great deal less than with many other surgeries. No surgery should be entered into lightly. And while it may seem like the risks and cons can outweigh the benefits of the surgery, you shouldn't let them scare you. If you think this kind of surgery is right for you, it's important to understand all the risks involved... and also to understand that the surgery is a choice you make for your life. It comes with some risks and complications, and a whole bunch of benefits, too. Before making a decision this big, it's important to understand all aspects-- the good and the bad.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: weight loss surgery, lap band, healthy weight loss, lap band centre, losing weight

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

TLBC, Toronto Lap Band Centre provides a simple and safe solution for lifelong weight loss. The lapband weight loss surgery - a lifelong solution.

Top Health Articles
1). Collarbone Injury By : Frank Vanderlugt The clavicle or “collar bone” connects the scapula bone in the shoulder to the sternum in your chest. It functions to hold the shoulder upward and backward. Clavicle fractures are common bone injuries. A break in the clavicle bone is usually a closed fracture that normally takes approximately 6 weeks to heal in an adult, 4 weeks in a child. The injury rarely requires surgery.
2). The Hottest Hair Trends And The Sexiest Hairstyles For 2007 By : Copyright 2006 David Maillie Hair has become unequivocally important as it can literally make one look like a movie star or a has been from Hee Haw, which died out many years ago. It is big enough that it is a multi billion dollar industry and the average bill in a salon is approaching $100. In the big cities with a hot hairstylist like Jonathon in Beverly Hills prices can easily top $500 for a cut and style.
3). Muscle Imbalance And Chronic Injuries By : Jeff P. Anliker, LMT Injuries can occur anywhere and at anytime, but the most prevalent place of occurrence is in the workplace. The reason for such a high rate of injury is that people spend 8-18 hours a day, 5-7 days a week performing unidirectional (one-way) movement patterns, causing an imbalance in the musculoskeletal system that results in the overuse and under use of certain muscle groups.
4). Why Whey Protein? By : Sandy Knoll With all of the recent negative press given to body supplements, it makes good sense to be cautions about using different nutritional supplements as a part of your body building efforts. Whey protein has been lauded as a safe, natural and simple supplement. It's use has become popular for those genuinely interested in good health through physical fitness and body building.
5). Autism and its Generated Behavioral and Mental Impairments By : Groshan Fabiola Autism is a complex neurological disorder that dramatically affects people’s behaviors and social interactions. The disorder can be revealed in early childhood, by the age of 3. Although the first signs of autism can sometimes be identified in infants, the disorder is usually discovered at a later stage of life. Autistic children present a wide range of behavioral abnormalities, and they can be easily identified among normal children.
6). Why Asbestos Cancer Affects More Men? By : Alfred J.James Who needs to be examined? Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. Asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lungs. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended.
7). The Benefits of Martial Arts Training By : Clint Leung As any martial arts practitioner will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why the martial arts were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today’s world just as it was hundreds of years ago.
8). Study Says Obesity May Be Caused By Virus By : Rick Hendershot In new study published this month, a research team claims to have found evidence that a contagious virus can contribute to obesity. The team found that a specific human adenovirus Ad-37 seems to trigger obesity in chickens. Previous studies had linked other adenoviruses -- Ad-36 and Ad-5 -- to obesity in animals. These and other adenoviruses cause colds and other common illnesses in people.
9). How Long Will It Take To Gain Muscles\| Build Muscle Mass By : Chris Chew There are many factors to consider when you want to know how long will it take for you to gain and build muscle mass. Questions like are you eating enough and the right nutrients to accelerate muscle growth, are you exercising correctly and regularly and do you have the genes for quick muscle growth need to be addressed. In this article, we shall discuss whether you have the genetic make up to gain and build muscles quickly.
10). Breathe Easy: Some Asthma Relief Tips By : Nick Carter Asthma is the seventh-ranked chronic health condition in the United States and the leading chronic illness of children. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that makes airways (bronchial tubes) particularly sensitive to irritants. During an asthma attack, tightening of the smooth muscles around the bronchial tubes causes them to become inflamed, narrow inside, and produce excess mucus.

New Health Articles
1). How To Break An Addiction By : John Morris You need to evaluate the problem and find what triggers your addicts and what specific need it is using. Once you have determined that, you can begin breaking yourself of the habit one step at a time...
2). How Disabled People Overcome Their Disabilities For Better Sexual Health By : Gregg Hall For the most part these people can participate in sexual activity and take pleasure in the intimacy of having a partner. Participating in a healthy sexual relationship is a critical part of therapy do the disabled and helps them rebuild self confidence.
3). Fight Those Winter Time Blues ! By : ian Williamson In North America, it is estimated that 50 to 60 percent of the population is affected by winter depression.
4). Cord Blood Banking: A Medical Safety Net By : Greg Roy Why pregnant women should consider cord blood banking when their children are born.
5). Make Your Heart More Healthy By : Dan Sherman Does it seem like there are more health risks these days than there were in the past? Well, the plain and simple truth is, there are. Now, more than ever, people around the globe grapple with various heath afflictions.
6). The Best Ways To Quit Cigarette Smoking By : Jonty Smith The author packed in his 40-a-day habit within a few hours. He did it quickly, easily and painlessly. Why then do so many other smokers struggle to quit? In this article, the author explains the best ways to quit cigarette smoking, and why many of the established methods are counter-productive.
7). Can Chocolate Really Kill Your Dog By : Gregg Hall We have all heard this all of our lives but how big a threat is it really? Is it life threatening or will it just make him sick? How much chocolate does the animal have to eat for it to cause a negative reaction?
8). The Attraction Of Magnetic Therapy By : John Morris Magnetic therapy is an alternative treatment for common ailments. The most commonly treated ailments for that magnetic therapy is used for are arthritis, pain, inflammation, muscle tension, migraines, tumors, asthma, allergies, diabetes and many other joints or healing complaints...
9). Symptoms, Signs, and Triggers of Anxiety Attacks By : Amit Mehta Discover key symptoms and signs of anxiety attacks, and how they affect the lives of anxiety attack sufferers. Also, learn how an anxiety attack can be coupled with agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces.
10). Power Scooters...Ask The Right Questions To Get The Right Answers By : RC Rougeux Asking the right questions can help you find out the information important to you. Use these when shopping for your next power scooter.