Why Patients Are Choosing to Remove Their LAP-BAND® And Are Considering Revisional Surgery

1. Why Patients Are Choosing to Remove Their LAP-BAND® And Are Considering Revisional Surgery The LAP-BAND® is a type of bariatric surgery that quickly became popular in the early 2000s. Its popularity grew annually until 2008, then began to decline rapidly as the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy became the most commonly performed bariatric procedure. The LAP-BAND® procedure involves placing a band around the stomach to limit the amount of food that can be eaten in one sitting, thereby leading to weight loss. While it can be an effective way to lose weight, many patients are now choosing to have their LAP-BAND® removed and are considering revisional surgery for better results. Many are choosing to revise their LAP-BAND® to a sleeve gastrectomy. One of the primary reasons why patients are choosing to remove their LAP-BAND® is due to complications or dissatisfaction with results. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing after having the surgery, while others find that they have not lost enough weight or have regained some of their lost weight back over time. Additionally, some people

2. find that they have difficulty keeping up with regular adjustments or that they need additional adjustments more often than recommended for it to be effective. Another reason why people may choose to remove their LAP-BAND® is due to complications which can include erosion of the band into the stomach lining, infection or inflammation in the stomach lining, slippage of the band out of place, or even a malfunctioning port that connects to the band. If left untreated, these issues can become more serious. For those who decide that lap band removal is necessary and want better results from their weight loss surgery, revisional surgery may be an option worth considering. A LAP-BAND® revision involves removing the LAP-BAND® and performing another weight loss surgery to achieve a better outcome. For example, one popular revisional surgery for those who had LAP- BAND® is gastric sleeve which involves removing a portion of the stomach. Or some choose to revise to a gastric bypass, which involves creating a small stomach pouch connected directly to part of the small intestine bypassing most of the stomach and duodenum altogether thus reducing absorption capacity significantly leading to greater weight loss results than what could have been achieved through lap band alone. At Nicholson Clinic, we understand how important it is for our patients to make informed decisions about their health and well-being when it comes to bariatric surgeries such as LAP- BAND® removal or revisional surgery. We offer comprehensive services designed specifically for those who are considering either option so that they can make an educated decision based on their individual needs and goals. At Nicholson Clinic we offer a variety of bariatric services including revisional surgeries as well as support services such as nutrition counseling and psychological counseling designed specifically for bariatric patients before and after their procedure. Our experienced team will work closely with you throughout every step of your journey towards achieving healthier lifestyle goals so that you can get back on track towards living a healthier life. Ultimately, deciding whether removing your LAP-BAND® and considering revisional surgery is right for you should be done in consultation with your doctor. However, understanding why people choose this route can help inform your decision-making process allowing you make an informed decision regarding what type of treatment plan best suits your needs.