I just thought I would pass this on, since it's one of the things on my mind lately. I got this from Jessie Ahroni from NWWLS (my clinic). I thought it was very valuable information.

Is it necessary to deflate the adjustable gastric band for subsequent operations?

Mittermair RP, Weiss H, Aigner F, Weissenboeck E, Lanthaler M, Nehoda H.

Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Austria. reinhard.mittermair@tirol.com

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is an effective method in the treatment of morbid obesity. However, it is unknown, whether deflating the gastric band before operations under general anesthesia is necessary to avoid complications such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory complications, and weight regain. METHODS: Between January 1996 and June 2001, we performed LAGB on 408 patients at the University Hospital of Innsbruck. Of these patients, we identified 68 (16.7%) patients who were to undergo subsequent unrelated general, reconstructive, vascular, or orthopedic procedures. These patients were prospectively randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 32) preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system and group 2 (n = 36) without preoperative deflation of the adjustable band system. RESULTS: There were no anesthetic or perioperative band-related complications in either group 1 or group 2. There were two reoperations necessary due to surgical complications unrelated to the gastric band. CONCLUSIONS: Operations after adjustable gastric banding can be safely performed without deflating the adjustable system.

That's great news! I personally want to avoid deflation as much as possible!

I think this should be seen as a generalized statement with regards to a suspected outcome. I think each case should be seen individually.

If my mom were banded and she went in for surgery of ANY kind she would need to have the band deflated. She has horrible reactions to any kind of pain med or anesthesia. She has violent episodes of nausea and vomiting. It is treated with Zofran or Reglan but it doesn't stop or control all of her problems.

So just consider how you react to the anesthesia and pain meds then determine after speaking with your own doctor how best to handle deflating or not deflating the band.

I am with Penni. Even though I have never had a strong reaction to meds it is possible sometime down the road I could. I believe for myself I would play the safe card and deflate. If you did happen to be at your "sweet spot" then your doctor will know exactly how much was removed and can eventually work back to that amount.