Adjustable Gastric Band Weight Loss Surgery
Adjustable gastric band is the least invasive weight loss surgery and is the only procedure that is adjustable.
This procedure is a restrictive surgery performed where a silicone band is used to section off a part of the stomach, which limits the amount of food you can eat. Food continues to be digested through the normal digestion and absorption process but small, sensible meals help the patient achieve their weight loss goal.
At Floyd, this procedure is performed using laparoscopic technology to ensure our patients a fast recovery, less pain and decrease in complication rates.
During the adjustable gastric band procedure, a band is placed around the uppermost part of the stomach, separating the stomach into one small and one large portion. The separation slows the emptying of food and creates a feeling of fullness. In this procedure, the band can be adjusted to increase or decrease restriction by changing the amount of fluid within the band using an adjustment port that is left hidden beneath the skin.
Advantages
- Weight Loss. The size of the stomach is gradually reduced by adjustments made to the band. Weight loss is not as rapid as with gastric bypass, but long term, the same weight loss goals can be met.
- Fewer Risks and Lowest Mortality. Because this weight loss surgery technique does not require the removal, rerouting or redistribution of the stomach or intestines, the risk of complications related to gastric bypass is reduced.
- Least Invasive Surgery. This procedure does not require stapling or intestinal rerouting. Patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital.
- Adjustable. As weight is lost, the band can easily be adjusted to fit your needs without surgery.
- Reversible. Although the gastric band is not routinely removed, both the LAP-BAND® and the Realize™ Band can be removed with no harm to the stomach or other organs. Weight gain can be expected.
Special Considerations and Risks
- Slower Results. Patients typically require two to three years to reach their goal weight. This is a significantly slower rate than that associated with gastric bypass.
- Less Weight Loss. Patients lose between 50 percent and 60 percent of their excess body weight as compared to between 60 percent and 80 percent of excess weight loss for gastric bypass patients.
- Band Adjustments. A gastric band patient should expect to have routine band adjustments, which involves a needle puncture.
- Requires Implanted Medical Device. Gastric band patients have a port located just under the skin, which the physician uses to adjust the constriction of the band on the stomach. Patients have the risk of experiencing complications such as the band slipping or leaking. Tubing-related issues such as kinking, infection or port disconnect could result in problems.
- Band Obstructions or Erosion. There is a slight risk that the gastric band may leak, slip or perforate the stomach. If this happens, surgical intervention may be required.