Gastric-band surgery is designed to help people shed most of their excess body fat by helping them feel full all the time. To do this, a silicone band is fitted around the top of the stomach, reducing its size not bigger than an orange. Using this method, patient will feel full easily and cannot overeat, even if they can’t help themselves. If they do take more than they can contain, it could result in vomiting, pain and heart burn.
Gastric band surgery, also known as LapBand is one of the more popular choice of weight loss surgery. Almost all of the LapBand surgeries performed are laparoscopic as compared to conventional “open” surgeries.
In laparoscopic surgery, several keyholes incisions were made in the abdomen to insert human-controlled ‘robotic arm ‘ to perform the surgery. After the patient has been given general anesthesia and is asleep, a harmless gas is introduced into the abdomen to move the organs so that the surgeon can work in wider space and can see clearly when a tiny laparoscope camera is inserted into one incision through a narrow hollow tube.
Laparoscopic surgeries are less invasive procedures that usually involve a few smaller keyhole incision instead of a single long incision that will be more likely to result in longer recovery period and heavier scarring. While open surgery can leave a long scar about 6 to 8 inches, laparoscopic scars are minimal. The recovery time is also shorter with less complications in laparoscopic surgery.
Since its clinical introduction in 1993, more than 150,000 Lap-Band procedures have been performed around the world. This type of surgery typically have a success rate of 90%.
A LapBand surgery typically take longer time to lose weight as compared to a gastric bypass but it’s benefits are aplenty. It is the only weight loss surgery that is reversible – meaning that you can make adjustment to it or have it completely removed as and when you like.
Other than placing the gastric-band around the top of the stomach, the surgeon will also place an access port in the abdominal wall under the skin. This will give access access to the port that fluid is regulated to tighten or ease the restriction of the band.
A laparoscopic gastric band surgery only take 1 hour during which you will be given general anesthesia and hospitalization of 1 or 2 days is necessary. This is to gather X-ray imaging on the following day post surgery and to monitor your condition to ensure everything goes according to plan. For the next approximately 3 weeks, your diet are restricted to soft and liquid food such as soup and mashed up food. The portion of your food will be around one or two ounce per meal to allow the stomach to heal. A permanent diet will then be introduced where the portion are gradually increased to 4-6 ounces.
On average, people who have gastric-band surgery can expect to lose between one half and two-thirds of their excess weight. The success of the lap band weight loss procedure depends on how committed and motivated the patient is to adhering to the post-surgery dietary and exercise guidelines, which are key to achieving long-term weight loss.
Some of the risks associated with gastric-band surgery are typical of any medical procedure while others relate to the placement of the gastric-band itself. Gastric-band surgery patients are also at risk of experiencing less serious ongoing conditions such as heartburn, reflux and vomiting. Unless unforeseen circumstances arise or the gastric-band needs immediate adjustment, the only real ongoing medical support needed is annual check-ups with the operating surgeon.
By: Steff X
