Myth 2: The surgery results are an unhealthy rapid weight loss
Weight loss will never occur overnight and if it did would not be healthy. A good target lose is around 2-3 pounds a week, if you follow a doctor’s eating and exercise plan accordingly. And of course it will depend on your starting weight and your weight loss goals too.

Myth 3: The surgery prevents proper nutrition
Not true at all gastric band surgery will still allow you proper nutritions. Many doctors will prescribe vitamins and supplements to take after the surgery in order to help the recovery process. Individuals can still get proper nutrition.

Myth 4: You will have to eat only a liquid diet
You won’t be on a liquid diet forever that is only during the recovery process after gastric banding surgery which is approximately 4 weeks. Of course you shouldn’t continue to eat the super sized fast food meals like before, but you can eat solid foods. The idea is to eat smaller portioned meals, three times a day because the smaller amount will still give you a full feeling for longer.

Myth 5: Lap Band Surgery is an easy way to lose weight
People tend to view Gastric Lap Band as an easy solution for a lifetime weight problem. Instead it should be viewed as a commitment one makes to change their life for the better. It is for people who have tried diets and exercise yet nothing seems to help. It might be a difficult life change, but it is worth it because it is the safe way for overweight individuals to successfully lose the pounds.

Myth 6: Even if you lose the weight, you will gain it back
The secret is making a lifelong commitment. If you make the commitment to lose the weight and change old eating habits, you will of course lose the weight. If you continue to eat like you used to, then your chances of losing a large amount of weight decreases.

Myth 7: The follow-up care is not important
The follow-up care is the most important part because changing your eating habits and old lifestyle is what leads to healthy weight loss.

Side-effects are an unwanted by product of the Gastric Banding Surgery but are generally temporary effects of the Surgery, afterwards you are likely to have bruising, pain and swelling around the wounds left behind from the surgery.

You may feel or be sick after eating, especially if you try to eat too much. Your restricted diet may cause some shortage of nutrients so you may consider taking multivitamin tablet as a supplement.

Complications caused from Gastric Banding occur during or after the surgery, but most people are not affected. Some possible complications of Gastric Banding Surgery include a reaction to the anaesthesia or excessive bleeding during or soon after surgery for this case a  blood transfusion may be required.

Some of the specific gastric banding complications:

* Wound infection. Antibiotics are given during surgery to help prevent this.
* For up to six weeks after the operation, it is possible to develop a blood clot (DVT) in the veins in the leg. This clot can break off and cause a blockage in the lungs. In most cases this is treatable, but it can be a life-threatening condition. Compression stockings, intermittent compression pumps and blood-thinning injections are used to help prevent DVT.
* There is a risk that during the operation other organs in the abdomen may be accidentally damaged.
* There is a risk that the gastric band may slip out of place, break or erode through the stomach wall. This may require further surgery or removal of the gastric band.
* It is possible you may fail to lose sufficient weight or regain weight, and some patients have further weight loss surgery.
* If you lose weight rapidly, there is a risk of developing gallstones in your gallbladder. These can be painful. Your surgeon may remove your gallbladder during surgery.

Before any surgery you should ask your surgeon to explain how these risks apply to you. The exact risks will differ for every person.