Gastric Band Medical Concerns

Urgent symptoms

Even though we do not expect you to have any serious problems after your Gastric Band Procedure, some symptoms that you may experience following any of the procedures need to be addressed immediately.

• Temperature above 37.5 
• Chest pain and/or shortness of breath 
• Nausea and/or vomiting for more than 12 hours 
• Pain, redness and/or swelling in your legs 
• Passing urine less than 4 times in 24 hours 
• Pain that is unrelieved by analgesic medication

Wound Infection 

If you are concerned about your wound or if you develop a high temperature the following signs may mean you have a wound infection and you are advised to contact the hospital or your GP for advice; 

• You see increased redness or swelling around your wounds 
• You feel increased pain around your wounds 
• You see excessive discharge or bleeding from your wounds 
• You notice pus in your wounds (yellow or green discharge) 

Thrombosis or Embolism 

On rare occasions some patients develop a blood clot after Gastric Band Surgery. The following signs may indicate that you have developed a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or that it may have travelled to your lungs (pulmonary embolus or PE). If you suffer from any of these symptoms you must also seek urgent medical attention (e.g. by going to A&E or calling for an ambulance)

• Increased pain, swelling, redness or heat in your leg
• Shortness of breath, coughing up blood or chest pain

For more information on DVT/PE, please ask to see our separate leaflet. 

Normal symptoms

• Moderate swelling or bruising of your abdomen 
• Mild to moderate discomfort or pain 
• Numbness or reduced sensation surrounding your wounds for up to 2 to 3 months. 
• Itching/shooting pains occur as the nerve endings heal 
• Redness of scars. Scars can take up to a year to fade 
• Nausea related to dehydration, not eating, not chewing sufficiently, overeating and medication. 
• Vomiting related to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance (body salts and sugars), vitamin deficiencies, eating too fast, not chewing food properly, eating solid food too soon, lying down after a meal, and eating foods that do not agree with you. 
• Change in bowel habits. Constipation due to dehydration and lack of fibre.
• Diarrhoea is usually due to lactose intolerance and poor nutritional intake