Gastric Banding (Lap Band Surgery)
Gastric banding is also referred to as lap band surgery or gastric stapling.Restricts Eating
A silicone ring is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The balloon inside the ring is then inflated to create a small pouch (approximately 20cc or 4 teaspoons) which can be inflated to restrict the amount of food entering the stomach or deflated to correct for over-restriction. This makes you feel fuller sooner (early satiety) when eating regular high quality food. The band can be adjusted by injecting saline (salt water) into a port that is placed in the abdomen just under the skin to increase or decrease the restriction. The port is not visible but can be felt by firm pressure with the fingers.
Decreases Caloric Intake
As long as you eat regular high quality food, this system will decrease the calories eaten at a meal. If you drink high caloric beverages like milkshakes or regular soda then you can eat enough calories to prevent weight loss. If you eat calorie dense food like chips and candy then you will prevent weight loss and can even continue to gain weight.
Results of Surgery
With good follow-up, patients can expect to lose 50-60% of their excess body weight within three years with an average weekly weight loss of 1-2 pounds. Patients will typically return to clinic for follow-up care and band adjustments 5-8 times a year the first year after surgery and then 2-4 times a year thereafter.
Hospital Stay – minimum overnight
Health Benefits
- Similar with gastric bypass surgery
- Almost all obesity associated health problems are significantly improved or cured.
- Improved energy and mobility
- Although the band is intended to remain in place for life, this procedure is reversible.
- Eliminates the more serious complication of anastomotic leak.
- The stomach and intestines remains intact.
- Early return to work without weight lift restrictions
- No “dumping syndrome” to reinforce healthier food choices
- Can drink high calorie foods easily
- Can require multiple visits yearly for band adjustments
- Exposure to x-ray – some band adjustments will be done with fluoroscopic guidance.
|
Complication |
Risk | Treatment |
| Wound infection | 1-2% | Antibiotics, open wound and dressing changes |
| Esophageal-gastric perforation | <1% | Remove/replace band |
| Pneumonia | 2% | Antibiotics |
|
Pulmonary embolism |
2% | Blood thinners |
| Blood Clots | 1% | Blood thinners |
| Death | .05% |
Can Occur Anytime After Surgery:
|
Complication |
Risk | Treatment |
| Band slippage | 3-5% | Remove or reposition band |
| Band erosion | 1% | Remove band, fix hole in stomach |
| Problems with port or tubing (pain, leaks, flipped, infection) | 5% | Remove/replace |