Hello, I am the wife of a lap-band patient. My husband had his procedure done several months ago, and one day later died at home. It turns out his stomach was punctured by the laprascope during surgery. This error was not detected until an autopsy was performed. Even tho we went to a very reputable surgeon, this is a risk of laproscopic surgery. Some surgeons will perform a barium swallow test after surgery as an extra precaution to make sure everything has gone well. If this test had been done on my husband directly after his surgery he would be alive today.

PLEASE, if you are considering lap-band surgery be sure to discuss this extra test with your surgeon. Even if the barium swallow increases the cost of the surgery IT IS WELL WORTH IT.

My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I was banded in April and I have never had the test. Fortunately, for me, I have not had any complications. Take care of yourself!

Thank you so much for taking the time to help others while you are going through such a rough time yourself.

This is a standard procdure with my doctor. I think everyone that is going to go through surgery should insist on having one.

Again, thank you for warning others, my heart goes out to you.

It has nothing to do with the band. An equivalent test should should be mandatory after ANY laparoscopic procedure near a vital area. Unfortunately there's usually a "nothing is wrong unless we have reason to believe something is wrong" clause, and you know where that gets you.

Sorry for your loss, it's always a sharper sting when it was avoidable.