Introduction
Unsuccessful Lap Band surgery requires surgical removal of the band. Many Lap Bands were placed in the last few decades. Over time, some of these have caused problems for people and need to be removed.
Indications
There are several ways in which a Lap Band can fail: inadequate weight loss, weight regain, band intolerance, infection, slippage, or heartburn.
Procedure
The Lap Band, tubing and port are removed by keyhole surgery. To access the Lap Band, the scar tissue around the band is cut and the band, tubing and post are removed. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to convert to another kind of bariatric surgery at the same time as band removal.