Adjustable Gastric BandingAbout The Procedure
Gastric Lap Banding is a type of surgery designed to limit the amount of food you can take in. It is the simplest type of weight loss surgery and can easily be adjusted or even reversed.
Procedure Description
In this procedure, a small pouch is created in the upper part of the stomach by wrapping a band around it to leave only a narrow passage from the newly created pouch and the larger, lower portion of the stomach. Its effect is to reduce how much you can eat at a single meal, thereby allowing the normal sequence of digestion and food absorption.
Since the stomach is not cut, stapled or opened, there is less risk of infection. This is also the only type of weight loss surgery that is completely reversible.
Best Candidates for Adjustable Gastric Banding
Most patients must have a Body Mass Index above 40, are 100 pounds or more over their estimated ideal weight, or between 30 to 40 with co-morbidities which may improve with weight loss. Co-morbidities include high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis. Patients should be between 18 and 55 years of age and have failed dietary or weight loss drug therapy for more than one year.
Patients should have a history of obesity of 5 years or more and have a full understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure and willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions required for long term success.
Patients should be in reasonably good health. Patients with severe and irreversible medical problems are considered ineligible for this surgery.
Length of the Procedure
Adjustable Gastric Banding takes 1 to 1-and-a-half hours to perform, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Anesthesia
Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery is performed under a general anesthetic.
Inpatient or Outpatient?
Adjustable Gastric Banding is performed on an inpatient basis and usually requires one overnight stay in the hospital.
Possible Side Effects
The most common complications occurring in the first few months after Adjustable Gastric Banding are nausea and vomiting. This may happen after eating too fast, drinking liquids while eating, not chewing enough or eating more than the pouch can comfortably hold.
Recovery
Most patients return to work in one week and are evaluated every 6 to 8 weeks for gradual band tightening if necessary. Although most patients feel well after two or three weeks, full recovery takes six weeks.
Risks
The most commonly reported postoperative complication associated with laparoscopic gastric banding is stomach pouch enlargement, which usually is associated with slippage of the stomach wall through the band.
Cost
Expect to pay $20,000 to $30,000 for Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery.
Scars
Since Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery is mini-invasive, there is minimal scarring. Patients will have 5 to 6 small incisions that usually heal quickly.
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