Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
Many celebrities had 'lap-band' surgery
By Lee Kyung-min
TV personalities Cho Hyung-gi, left, and Lee Yong-sik were amongmany celebrities who had “lap-band” surgery from Kang Se-hoon, lead surgeon and president of Seoul Sky Hospital. The operation is suspected of being a factor in the death of rock singer Shin Hae-chul.
By Lee Kyung-min
Amid speculation that the late singer Shin Hae-chul’s death was caused by a “lap-band” operation he had in 2009 as a diet plan at the Seoul Sky Hospital, many wonder what the surgery is about, and the risks pertaining to it.
Lap-band surgery, commonly called “stomach-band” surgery in Korea, is a procedure that puts a small band around the top part of the stomach to restrict food intake.
The procedure is known to extend the feeling of being full, eating despite this feeling can result in difficulty in breathing, or vomiting, ultimately deterring the desire to eat, thus promoting patients’ weight loss.
The procedure is regarded as safer than a gastrectomy, which involves cutting the upper part of the stomach. Gastrectomy is known to cause far more infections as the organ has to recover from internal bleeding, according to experts.
Touting itself as the leading medical team of experts for “lap-band” surgery, Seoul Sky Hospital has performed the operation on overweight comedians such as Cho Hyung-gi and Lee Yong-sik.
The attending, Dr. Kang Se-hoon, at Seoul Sky Hospital rose to fame for his expertise in the field, and appeared on JTBC’s medical program called “Doctors’ Competition” advising overweight celebrities about the danger of obesity, suggesting surgery as a solution.
According to media reports, appearing on the JTBC show as one of Kang’s patient, Cho shared his experience vouching for the doctor’s suggestion.
Dr. Kang even posted on his blog citing the popularity of the surgery. “Celebrities such as Cho Hyung-gi, Lee Yong-sik, and Shin Hae-chul chose to have the operation under my advisement,” Kang wrote blog.
As much as the surgery is winning recognition from the public, its side effects are easily overlooked.
The risks include stomach perforation, bleeding, infection, intestinal adhesions, and damage to organs during the surgery.
Adding to that, when the “band” is removed or replaced, additional surgery is needed.
The late singer underwent surgery on Oct. 17 for intestinal adhesions and was taken to hospital following sharp pains in the abdomen later, he fell into a coma during surgery at another hospital, and was pronounced dead on Oct. 27.