Gastric Band

Lap-Band Surgery

Popularly known as the LAP-BAND® surgery in Long Island, a gastric band is a hollow band made of special material placed around the stomach near its upper end, acting as a belt on the stomach, restricting how much a patient can eat. The band is then inflated with a salt solution. Following the initial surgery, the band itself can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage by increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution.

Patient Journey

From beginning to end, the journey patients undergoing bariatric care is full of changes. It will require persistence and discipline, but in the end it is all worth it. Feel free to learn more about the patient journey.

How Long Does

During your Lap-Band surgery , the band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch that can hold only a small amount of food. The narrowed opening between the stomach pouch and the rest of the stomach controls how quickly food passes from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach. The system helps the patient eat less by limiting the amount of food that can be eaten at one time and increasing the time it takes for food to be digested.

Depending on the patient’s needs, the tightness of the band can be adjusted in size by inflating or deflating the hollow band. Inflating the band makes the opening smaller, causing food to pass more slowly. Deflating the band makes it wider, and causes food to pass more quickly. This adjustment is made by adding or removing fluid inside the hollow band. This is done in the office. The doctor does this by injecting or removing the fluid through a small button-like part called the access port. This access port is placed under the skin in a muscle in the chest wall. The port is connected to the band by the tubing. Learn about the adjustments of the band post-op below.

Advantages Of Lap-Band Surgery

Gastric banding is the most simple of the bariatric surgery options, and leads to the smallest number of complications. Our LAP-BAND patients often return to work in just a week or two. Another advantage of this weight loss treatment is that the band is adjustable. This means that the surgeon can change the level of fluid in your band at a quick office visit. Adding fluid makes the band tighter, and removing fluid makes the band looser. Each patient is different, so as time goes on you will work with our team and can call the office any time your band feels too loose or too full.

Reversible Procedures

Another advantage of the band is that it is reversible. Although the band is meant to stay in place permanently, if there are side effects or other reasons to remove it, this is an option. No cutting or stapling is done, and the anatomy of the body is not changed at all when the gastric band is put in place. The LAP-BAND also does not have a malabsorption risk, like other procedures. When part of the stomach is removed or the intestines are rerouted, patients’ bodies absorb fewer nutrients which can lead to negative health consequences, especially if they do not follow their vitamin and supplement routine. Because the LAP-BAND has no risk of malabsorption, there would be no extra vitamin deficiencies to worry about.

When Is It Used?

Gastric banding is used for weight loss in obese adults for whom non-surgical weight loss methods have not been successful. They must be willing to make major changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or be at least 60 - 70 pounds overweight.

What Will Surgery Accomplish?

LAP-BAND surgery may help the patient lose weight. In the U.S. study, the average weight loss was 36% of a patient’s excess weight three years after the device was implanted. More than half of the patients lost at least 25% of their excess weight; some patients lost over 75%, but some lost no weight.

Lap-Band Risks

Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, and slippage of the band. The most serious side effects may require either another operation or hospitalization.

Because of the LAP-BAND design, it can be tempting to ‘cheat’ on your diet. Foods like chocolate or ice cream are easy to eat with the band, so it is important that patients commit to the eating changes that complement the surgery in order for it to be successful. It is also possible for food to get stuck if you take bites that are too big or do not chew your food very carefully. This can be uncomfortable and require adjustment of the band. Patients must be mindful of eating carefully with the band.

When Should It Not Be Used?

Some side effects are managed in follow up visits, but the most serious side effects may require either another operation or hospitalization. There are risks to the gastric band, just like there are with any surgical procedure. These risks include prolapse, pouch dilatation, band erosion, infection of the band, or port leak.

An adjustable band procedure should not be used for people who are poor candidates for weight loss surgery, have certain stomach or intestinal disorders, have an infection, have to take aspirin frequently, or are addicted to alcohol or drugs. It should not be used on patients who are not able or willing to follow the rules for eating and exercise that are recommended by the doctor after surgery.

Surgery Advantages

Keyhole approach. Less scarring or wound problems. Earlier return to work (1-2 weeks)
Adjustable: by filling the port the outlet size can be reduced
Reversible: By removing fluid or the band.
No malabsorption
Lower risk

Surgery Disadvantages

prolapse

slippage of the stomach through the band erosion

pouch dilatation

food bolus obstruction

infection of the band or port leak

Usual weight loss is 50-60% of excess weight loss in 2 yrs.