According to the Lap Band's official site, there are some risks involved, especially for people who are already in poor health due to being overweight. Although there have been no deaths reported, there have been reports of gastric tearing. There are also some significant side effects to consider, such as nausea and vomiting, band slippage and stoma obstruction.

On the Other: Lap Bands are Safer Than Being Overweight

Lap bands are designed for people who are more than 100 pounds overweight, and have failed to lose weight using traditional dieting and exercise. People who are more than 100 pounds overweight are already at increased risk of heart attack or stroke. For many people, the best alternative to being overweight is to invest in the lap band regardless of the risk.

Bottom Line

Although the Lap Band procedure is not 100 percent free of complications, the risk is often worth the reward. Those who are concerned about how their health will be impacted by the Lap Band are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their options. No deaths have been reported as a result of this procedure, and it is a known fact that chronic obesity can kill.

Source:

LapBand.com: Lap Band System Risks and Complications Information

Weight-Loss.Families.com: Is Lap Band Surgery Safe?

More Information:

ObesityLapBandSurgery.com: Lap Band Surgery FAQ