Adjustable Gastric Band Surgery Guide to: How it Works, Expectations, Diet, Cost and Requirements.
Gastric Banding is currently an out-of-date bariatric surgery, with most physicians recommending gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, or duodenal switch. The surgery requires many hospital visits, and has the potential for erosion and slippage. Gastric Banding is increasingly being used to "rescue" other surgeries from failure, including gastric bypass. Contact our healthcare professionals to learn more about this issue.
Contact Us
Gastric banding is an adjustable gastric band that alters the anatomy of the stomach to help you reduce your food intake. Currently two kinds of gastric bands are available:
- the Lap-Band and
- the Realize Band.
Lap Band Surgery is a popular choice for people suffering with obesity. Its an easily reversible operation which makes it ideal for people who are on the fence about permanent weight loss surgeries. This guide to Lap Band Surgery includes how it works, expectations, lap band surgery diet, requirements and costs.
How Adjustable Gastric Band - Lap-Band Work
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.
Advantages of Gastric Banding Surgery - Lap Band, Realize Band
Lap-Band, Adjustable Gastric Band Expectations
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.
Lap Band Diet - Adjustable Gastric Band Diet
You will follow a liquid diet immediately after Lap Band 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.
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.
Lap Band Surgery Costs
Worried about the high price of gastric band surgery? We offer affordable Lap-Band Surgery Packages that cost less than you might think. Having the Lap-Band Surgery in Mexico will mean a significant reduction in the cost of the procedure.
Lap-Band Surgery Requirements for a potential Candidate
You might meet the requirements of a good candidate for Lap-Band Surgery if you meet the following criteria:
If you meet these requirements we urge you to contact us, and find a weight loss surgeon. This is the next step that you will lead a healthier, happier you!
More on Lapband Surgery
Home - Weight Loss Surgery Options - Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery (Lap-Band)