Gastric Banding (Lap-Band®, Realize® Band)

Gastric banding surgery (also known as Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding) was approved by the FDA in June 2001. Prior to that, it was the number one weight loss operation being performed in Europe and Australia. Over 300,000 bands have been placed world-wide since 1993. Multiple long-term studies have shown average excess weight loss to be greater than 55% in the majority of patients. Current studies have shown the band to be a highly effective operation with the lowest risk of any major bariatric surgery.

Gastric banding surgery involves implanting an adjustable silicone gastric band designed to help you lose weight, improve weight-related health conditions and enhance quality of life. It reduces the stomach capacity and restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The band, a silicone ring, is placed around the upper part of the stomach and filled with saline on its inner surface. This creates a new, smaller stomach pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the new upper pouch and the lower part of the stomach. When the stomach is smaller, you feel full faster, while the food moves more slowly between your upper and lower stomach as it is digested. As a result, you eat less and lose weight.

Adjustable Weight Loss

Once placed around the stomach, tubing connects the Lap Band to an access port fixed beneath the skin of your abdomen. This allows the surgeon to change the stoma 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.

The Lap Band procedure is the only adjustable weight-loss surgery available in the United States to help maintain restriction and keep the weight off long-term.

Advantages of Lap Band Surgery

Minimal Trauma

  • Least invasive surgical option
  • No intestinal re-routing
  • No cutting or stapling of the stomach wall or bowel
  • Small incisions and minimal scarring
  • Reduced patient pain, length of hospital stay and recovery period

Fewer Risks and Side Effects

  • 10 times less operative and short-term mortality than gastric bypass1
  • Low risk of nutritional deficiencies associated with gastric bypass
  • Reduced risk of hair loss
  • No “dumping syndrome” related to dietary intake restrictions

Adjustable and Reversible

  • Allows individualized degree of restriction for ideal rate of weight-loss
  • Adjustments performed without additional surgery
  • Supports pregnancy by allowing stomach outlet size to be opened to accommodate increased nutritional needs
  • Removable at any time
  • Stomach and other anatomy are generally restored to their original forms and functions

Effective Long-Term Weight Loss

  • More than 300,000 Lap-band devices placed worldwide
  • Standard of care for hundreds of surgeons around the world
  • #1 selling adjustable gastric band for weight loss
  • Academic publications with up to 10 years of follow-up

After Gastric Banding Surgery

Most people are able to return to work within three to seven days. Many people stop taking pain medication after three days. The post-operative healing phase consists of one week of liquids and one to two weeks of soft, mushy food. No adjustments are made to the gastric band during this time. This allows the band to heal into the perfect spot, minimizing the chance for slippage. The first adjustment may be done around four weeks after surgery.

If you are eating small amounts of food and are not hungry between meals and are losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, then you don’t need an adjustment. If you can eat large meals, are struggling with hunger and are not losing weight, please make an appointment to see if a band adjustment is needed. Most patients require several adjustments during the first 12 months.

If you are ready to take an active part in reducing your weight, you may be ready for Weight Loss Surgery; call us today @ 404-236-7555 to find out!

Learn More with Related Pages:
Lap Band
Realize Band
Gastric Bypass
Gastric Sleeve