Weight Loss Surgery - Lap Band Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band© / Realize Band)

Lap Band Surgery

The Adjustable Gastric Band is an adjustable silicone ring that is placed around the top part of the stomach creating a small (1-2 ounce or 15-30cc) pouch. The Band moderately restricts the volume and type of foods the patient is able consume. The Band delays emptying of the pouch and creates the sensation of satiety. There is no malabsorption of nutrients.

During the procedure, surgeons usually use laparoscopic techniques (making tiny incisions rather than a large incision and inserting long-shafted instruments through “ports”), to wrap the Band around the patient’s stomach. A narrow camera is passed through a port so the surgeon can view the operative site on a nearby video monitor. The Band is fastened around the upper stomach to create the new stomach pouch that limits and controls the amount of food you eat. The band is then locked securely in a ring around the stomach.

Once placed around the stomach, tubing connects Band to an access port fixed beneath the skin of your abdomen. This allows the surgeon to change the stoma (stomach outlet) size by adding or subtracting saline, or salt water, inside the inner balloon through the access port. This adjustment process helps determine the rate of weight loss. If the band is too loose and weight loss is inadequate, adding more saline can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band is too tight, the surgeon will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.

The diameter of the band can be modified to meet your individual needs, which can change as you lose weight. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren’t experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened.

Patients can expect to lose 60% of their excess weight. This procedure requires the most effort of all of the procedures in order to be successful. Patient must be committed to good eating habits and exercise.

The Lap-Band is most effective for patients that are more disciplined in following a strict diet and will commit to an exercise program.

Advantages of Gastric Band Surgery

Small incisions and minimal scarring
Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period
Less operative and short-term mortality than gastric bypass
Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with gastric bypass
Reduced risk of hair loss
No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions
Allows individualized degree of restriction for ideal rate of weight-loss
Adjustments performed without additional surgery
Removable at any time
Stomach and other anatomy are generally restored to their original forms and functions

What to Expect After Surgery

Surgery usually requires only a 1 day hospital stay. Most people can return to normal activities in 1 to 2 weeks.

You will follow a liquid diet immediately after surgery. Your diet will progress to full liquids, pureed or blended foods, soft foods then finally to a diet of solid foods. No liquid calories should be consumed after moving to solid food.