I was just thinking about diving, and I was wondering if it's safe for people with the lapband to do scuba? Does the increase in pressure under the Water do anything weird to the band?

Ta,

Rebecca

I was just thinking about diving, and I was wondering if it's safe for people with the lapband to do scuba? Does the increase in pressure under the Water do anything weird to the band?

I went scuba diving earlier this month with no issues. I believe since there is no air within the band there is no issue with expansion/compression.

This is what I found:

Q: Are there any problems with Scuba Diving or High Altitude flying with a LAP-BAND?

There are no publications on this topic. However, this is high on the FAQ list. Several have called after our advice of "no worries" to confirm that they went diving and did not have any problems.

Fluid is not compressible. Bands are filled with Saline (a fluid). It does not matter what altitude or depth you go to, the fluid volume 'size' or fill in the band does not change. If there is trapped air in the band, which is common especially soon after placement, then the air will change size. At high altitude it will expand and make the band a bit tighter. At depth (deep sea diving), any air in the band will be compressed.... but when you come up it will re-expand to the same volume it was before you went diving. However, the change in total volume is proportional to the amount of trapped air. Normal band-prep-flushing of bands before implantation should remove 95+% of the air. The tiny air bubbles left behind, even if they doubled in size at 25,000 feet, would not be enough to significantly change the total band volume. And besides, if you find yourself in an un-pressurized situation at 25,000 feet, your band fill volume is the least of your troubles. Lights out.

Worst case: if there is a little air in a band and you go diving, the volume of the band will drop slightly the deeper you go. The tightness of the band will be reduced a bit. The result might be a sudden feeling of hunger. Perhaps you are so hungry you decide to stop your dive and you go up to get something to eat. However, once you get to the surface, the air expands and tightens the band and you are no longer hungry. Cruel trick, but no harm done.

In reality, there can't be enough air in a band to actually make this happen. Over the years we have had several patients ask about this, and a few called back after diving to confirm that nothing had happened. So, all we have is a collection of anecdotes. But I don't plan on a multi-center RCT on this topic anytime soon.

Short story: NO PROBLEM!

From: http://www.totalobesitysolutions.com/lapband_surgery.html#21

Apparently you're not the first to wonder, because it's on their FAQ, lol Hope that helps!

BTW, thanks for asking! I've always wanted to try SCUBA diving and it never even crossed my mind that it might be an issue with the band

Thanks guys for your help. My gut instinct was that it wouldn't be a problem because it's liquid in the band, but then I worried about the contraption itself - you've put my mind at ease