Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, more commonly known as lap band surgery, is becoming an increasingly popular means for dealing with obesity and weight loss. The procedure is currently approved for anyone within a BMI range of 30 or higher and with at least one obesity-related condition, such as diabetes or hypertension. Despite its rise to prominence, lap band surgery is still an invasive procedure with associated risks. The procedure also requires lifelong diligence to keep it operating safely, so it’s not recommended that people rush into a decision about it.
Understanding the Procedure
Lap band surgery is performed with the patient under general anesthesia, with the procedure typically taking about three hours. The doctor begins by making several small incisions on the stomach, through which the surgery will take place.
With the help of a camera, a small, inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the patient’s stomach, and a tube is attached to the band. This tube leads to a port underneath the skin where doctors can inject or remove saline from it. At the time of the surgery no saline is injected, and the band stays deflated.
Effects of the Procedure
In essence, lap band surgery creates a smaller “stomach” with help of the band that was attached during surgery. This new pouch cannot hold as much food as a normal stomach, which leads to feelings of fullness with less food. In fact, patients frequently experience vomiting or other unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects if they attempt to overeat or eat foods that are difficult to pass through the band. Because a patient’s quantity of food is so severely restricted with a lap band, it’s important that they follow their doctor’s dietary instructions precisely or they may experience malnutrition.
Maintenance of the Lap Band
Over time the lap band will become progressively looser, allowing patients to eat more food. To correct this, patients will need to return to their doctors from time to time so that more saline can be injected into the band. This tightens the band and helps restrict food normally. Conversely, if a patient wants to increase their food intake, doctors can remove saline from the band to allow them to do so.
