Lakeview Surgery Centre

All surgeries carry the possibility of risks and complications, most commonly bleeding and infection. Obese patients are also at higher risk during surgery. Your surgeon will discuss those risks with you as part of your assessment.

During the procedure, there is a very small potential for injury of the stomach, esophagus, liver or spleen or major blood loss. Rarely, this may require that the surgeons move from laparoscopic surgery to the conventional open approach. Heart, liver or kidney disease can increase the risks of the surgery. Death is always a risk of any surgery.

A number of recent studies agree that the LAP-BAND® System procedure is the safest surgical option for treating obesity. Complications are usually not serious, though some may require hospitalization and additional surgery.

Potential complications from LAP-BAND® System surgery may include band slippage (occurs in 1-2% of patients) or band erosion (occurs in less than 1 in 1000 patients). Very rarely, they may include port site pain or displacement and leakage of the reservoir, tubing or band. You'll find more detailed risk information at www.lapbandcanada.ca.

After surgery, if you have any complications or painful symptoms, please tell your doctor right away.

The LAP-BAND® System is designed for people who are seriously overweight and have tried many times to lose weight without long-term success. It is not for someone looking to lose 20 or 30 pounds. Only people with a BMI of 35 or more should consider weight-loss surgery as a viable option. Check your BMI below.

BMI calculator

Before we proceed with surgery, we will do a thorough assessment to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

1. You are at least 21 years of age.
2. Your BMI is 35 or more, or you are at least 100 pounds overweight.
3. You have weight-related health problems (co-morbidities).
4. You have been overweight for over five years.
5. You have seriously attempted weight loss, but it has resulted only in short-term success.
6. You are not suffering from a disease that has caused you to be seriously overweight.
7. You are prepared to make significant changes to your eating habits and lifestyle.
8. You are willing to be monitored by us on a long-term basis.
9. You do not drink alcohol in excess.

1. You are under 21.
2. You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, Crohn's disease or severe esophagitis).
3. You have severe heart or lung disease (or some other condition) that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
4. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the stomach.
5. You have portal hypertension, cirrhosis or chronic pancreatitis.
6. Your esophagus, stomach or intestine is not considered normal (this can be congenital or acquired).
7. You have ever had an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the band placement.
8. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after surgery, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as serious illness.)
9. You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
10. You have an infection anywhere on your body.
11. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment.
12. You can't or won't follow the dietary rules that are a key part of the procedure.
13. You might be allergic to the materials in the device.
14. You are unable to tolerate pain from an implanted device.
15. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease.