Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery
Adjustable gastric banding,both LapBand® and Realize®, is the least invasive form of weight loss surgery. If necessary, the procedure can often be completely reversed. Gastric banding is also less likely to cause nutritional problems. It usually results in less weight loss than gastric bypass surgery.
This procedure is done laparoscopically by making small incisions and using small instruments and a camera to guide the surgery (laparoscopic approach).
The adjustable gastric band restricts the amount of food your stomach can hold by placing an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of the stomach. This restricts or limits the amount of food you can eat at one time.
Advantages:
- No stapling, cutting or intestinal rerouting
- Adjustable
- Reversible if necessary
- Lower operative risk than gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy
- Minimal risk of nutritional deficiencies
Disadvantages:
- Slower initial weight loss
- Regular follow-up critical for success
- Requires an implantable device
- Band can slip or erode
- Access port can leak and require surgery or replacement of the band
Improvements in Health
Many obesity-related health problems improve or even disappear after adjustable gastric banding surgery. The most common are high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea and diabetes.
Recovery
After adjustable gastric banding surgery, people typically stay in the hospital overnight and return to normal activity within one to two weeks.
Following recovery, certain lifestyle changes and follow-up care occur; people who have gastric banding surgery must:
- Exercise regularly
- Learn behavior modification techniques.
Weight Loss
On average, patients lose 50 - 60% of their excess weight at a slower rate than either gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.