Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to your lungs
• Blood loss
• Infection, including in the surgery site, lungs (pneumonia), or bladder or kidney
• Heart attack or stroke during surgery

Risks for gastric banding are:

• Gastric band erodes through the stomach (if this happens, it must be removed)
• Gastric band may slip partly out of place
• Gastritis (inflamed stomach lining), heartburn, or stomach ulcers
• Infection in the port, which may need antibiotics or surgery
• Injury to your stomach, intestines, or other organs during surgery
• Poor nutrition
• Scarring inside your belly, which could lead to a blockage in your bowel
• Your surgeon may not be able to reach the access port to tighten or loosen the band (you would need minor surgery to fix this problem)
• Vomiting from eating more than your stomach pouch can hold