Sex after Lap-Band surgery

Thursday, 15 December 2011 12:10

Many WLS patients are often curious about how the Lap-Band will affect their sex lives, but may be too embarrassed to bring the subject up with their doctor or support group.  Common questions include when patients can resume their sex lives post-surgery, and whether the band will lead to an increase in sex drive or more enjoyable sex.

Resuming sex after surgery

There are no specific guidelines on how long patients should wait before resuming sexual activity following surgery. The simple answer is, it depends on the individual; you can start having sex as soon as you're comfortable. Although the Lap-Band is a minimally invasive procedure, it is still surgery, so give your body enough time to recover, and be extra careful to avoid irritating or putting pressure on your port site. Any pressure on the port side increases your risk of dislocating your band and causing complications.

Lap-Band and sexual health

Aside from physical well-being, Lap-Band surgery may improve your sexual health as well. According to the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a recent study indicates that men with significant weight loss experience an increase in testosterone, which may yield a better sex life.

At the start of the study, the men - who weighed an average of 333 pounds with a BMI of 46 - had their hormone levels measured. Over the following two years, the men who underwent weight loss surgery lost between 40 and 100 pounds; their hormone levels and quality of life were then reexamined.  Men with significant weight loss and decreased BMIs had a decrease in the female sex hormone estradiol and improvements in self-reported sexual quality of life.

A similar women's study was conducted by researchers at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. The sexual health of participants was evaluated with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), which assesses sexual function in six areas (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) on a scale from 2 to 36. A score of 26 or lower indicates sexual dysfunction.

Before surgery, 63 percent of the women had low FSFI scores. Six months following weight-loss surgery, sexual dysfunction had resolved in 68 percent of the women, with all women showing improvement in their overall FSFI scores. Post-opt scores even improved in women taking antidepressants, which can diminish sexual function.  Due to the limited period of the study, further research is required to establish the long-term effects of lap-band surgery on female sexual functioning. Read more about the women's study.

Significant weight loss also typically triggers greater self-confidence and an improved body image, which can translate into an increase in sexual desire. Following Lap-Band surgery, 72% of survey participants reported that their sex drive increased. Many patients also say that the weight loss allows them to try new positions, last longer in the bedroom, and generally enjoy sex more.