Lap band surgery failure is more prevalent than ever before. While there are ways to reduce a patient’s chances of it happening, it is inevitable for some patients who do not limit their food consumption despite having this surgery. If lap band failure does occur, patients can have band removal surgery to continue or to maintain their weight loss as a result of bariatric surgery.

Unsuccessful weight loss can mean something to different people. However, most medical professionals consider the lap band surgery a failure if the patient has not lost 25-30% of their excess weight. Most find success at 50% or more of excess weight.

not losing weight with gastric band procedure - jigsaw puzzle

Not losing weight with lap band? Here are things to consider to turn things around.

Some Solid Facts About Lap-Band Surgery

Laparoscopic Gastric Band or Lap-Band is a “restrictive” surgery type. This means that the band is used to limit the amount of food intake and does not suppress the appetite. Most patients become less interested in food, especially in between meals. However, the band itself can not stop someone from overeating or overindulge. While most patients will not feel that “stuffed” feeling as being in control of one’s appetite is what will lead to weight loss.

Lap Band & Eating

Some patients feel a sense of restrictions (often after their first fill). The pouch can contain one to two ounces by volume of food. However, over-consumption can lead to stretching of the band allowing more and more food in overtime. Lap band patients can expect to feel uncomfortable or sick from over-consumption, which should limit these occasions. Many patients will have the band adjusted many times so that they can feel full again, but the upper stomach will stretch little by little throughout the process. As the stomach continues to stretch then, it takes more to fill it.

Two things will result from this. First, the patient will stretch the stomach and esophagus so much that they are no longer eating a small amount of food. These types of patients do not lose the weight that is expected from this type of bariatric surgery. The other result is that the band forces down the stomach slipping required band removal surgery to reposition it or to remove it altogether.

Change your eating habits and lifestyle

Success After Lap Band

For the best success with lap band surgery, follow the post-op diet! Measure your portions and eat fiber-rich foods that keep you feeling full longer. Also never drink when eating as it will fill you up with liquid instead of energy-rich food. If you’re still feeling hungry every two hours, then you need an adjustment. Ultimately the lap band’s overall purpose is to help you the patient make sacrifices, but make them not feel so much as sacrifices but positive behavior patterns.

Also, if you’re someone considering lap band surgery make sure you’re choosing the right surgery for your needs. If you want an operation that will stop you from eating too much, opt for gastric sleeve instead of the lap band. During this surgery, the actual size of the stomach is reduced.

Ultimately having regular follow-ups with your surgeon and nutritionist will help limit the chances of failure after lap band surgery. Meal planning and prep may also help with overeating as prepared meals can be measured ahead of time, so all the guesswork is gone. Determining what works for you will lead to a more successful experience and overall, more weight loss.

Make sure you follow the pre-op diet before undergoing gastric lap band.

Lap Band Revision Options

Revising lap band to another surgery type can be a valid option if your weight loss starts to plateau. Lap-Band surgery can be easily converted to other procedures, including:

Undergoing conversion surgery from Lap Band to Gastric Sleeve can be an excellent option for long-term weight loss.

Contact us for more information.

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