Why Are LAP-BANDs Removed?

While most patients experience significant weight loss following LAP-BAND treatment, it is not unusual for patients to experience problems following LAP-BAND treatment. LAP-BAND removal can not only eliminate these problems, but also restore your candidacy for other bariatric treatment. 

Dr. Joseph Naim, an esteemed bariatric surgeon and affiliate of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity, performs the safe and effective procedure for patients in and around Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Orange County, CA. Once a patient’s LAP-BAND has been safely removed, they can regain candidacy for alternative weight-loss programs.

Why Remove Your LAP-BAND?

While many patients opt for LAP-BAND treatment in the first place because the surgery is minimally invasive and fully reversible, LAP-BAND removal is becoming increasingly popular. Common reasons patients seek LAP-BAND removal include:

• Inadequate weight loss: Some patients experience significant weight loss in the weeks and months following LAP-BAND placement, only to see the unwanted pounds slowly return. Unfortunately, this type of weight gain is more common with gastric banding than with other treatments, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass surgery.
• Disrupted oral function: Although rare, some patients develop difficulty swallowing. For some patients, nausea and frequent bouts of vomiting may not be worth the weight loss they experience after surgery.
• Heartburn: Acid reflux is another common side effect of LAP-BAND treatment. If it gets serious or uncomfortable, removing the LAP-BAND may be the safest option. 
• Esophageal dilation: Because the LAP-BAND restricts the space inside your stomach, it can be easy to overestimate how much you can eat and food may become stuck in the esophagus. If this happens frequently, the esophagus may expand, which can lead to a number of other health problems.

How Are LAP-BANDS Removed?

The removal of your LAP-BAND will take around one hour. During this straightforward procedure, Dr. Naim will:

• Cut away scar tissue that your body formed around the band
• Remove any sutures that are holding the band in place
• Cut the gastric band
• Remove the band from around the stomach along with the tube
• Restore the stomach to its normal orientation

Dr. Naim will provide you with detailed recovery guidelines. Most patients are able to resume normal activities after a week or two. Dr. Naim will follow your recovery closely during your follow-up appointments.

Alternative Treatment Options Following LAP-BAND Removal

After the band is removed, your stomach will resume its normal size and your pre-surgery appetite will likely return. If you follow strict dietary and exercise routines, you may be able to maintain your weight. However, the removal of your LAP-BAND does not mean that you will not meet your weight loss goals. In fact, it may open the door to more effective treatments.

You may want to consider having a revision surgery performed immediately after your LAP-BAND is removed. Dr. Naim performs gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy as possible options to revise your results. If your health insurance covers bariatric surgery procedures, your LAP-BAND removal and revision surgery may both be covered.

Work With a Trusted Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Naim and the skilled and compassionate team of professionals at Advance Bariatric Center will be with you each step of the way until you are fully satisfied with your results If you are unhappy with your LAP-BAND treatment, we welcome you to contact our office online or to call (310) 684-4070 to discuss your options.