Lap Band Surgery

Lap-Band surgery is a procedure that places an adjustable band around the upper portion of the stomach creating a small stomach pouch. As you eat, food fills the small stomach pouch making you feel full much sooner and reducing the amount of food you eat. Lap Band surgery also increases the time it takes for the stomach to empty, making you feel full longer and reducing the sensation of hunger. The band can be adjusted (made tighter/smaller) by filling it with saline through a port located just underneath the skin. The concept is to create anatomy that provides a sensation of “fullness” after a very small meal leading to weight loss.

The gastric band is placed laparoscopically, and it is the least invasive of all the surgical weight loss procedures because it does not require division or removal of any part of the stomach or intestines. The device consists of a band, connection tubing and a plastic access port. As the band is filled with saline, the balloon expands and the stomach outlet gets smaller, making it harder for food to pass. After placement of the band around the top of the stomach, the band tubing is connected to a small plastic access port, which is placed under the skin. The access port is used to add or remove fluid from the band.

Expected Weight Loss from Lap Band Surgery is
50-70% of your excess weight.

Follow-up appointments for band adjustments and evaluations are extremely important for weight loss success. Dedication to exercise, behavior modification and proper food choices is absolutely necessary to help achieve optimal results.

For more information on the adjustable gastric bands, visit the manufacturer Web site at www.lapband.com.

Advantages

• Minimally invasive surgical procedure.
• Reduced surgical trauma, complications, pain and scarring
• Does not permanently alter the anatomy of the stomach or small intestines.
• Band can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction via an access port.
• Can be a reversible procedure if a complication should occur.
• Lower risk of severe nutritional deficiencies.

Disadvantages

• Slower initial weight loss than gastric bypass.
• Requires an implanted medical device.
• Access port can leak and require minor revision surgery.
• Requires follow-up adjustable treatments.
• Complications such as band slippage or prolapse can occur.