LAP BAND SURGERY

Approved by the FDA in June 2001 the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery is the newest treatment for morbid obesity in the United States. It induces weight loss by reducing the capacity of the stomach, which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed. The treatment has been performed around the world since 1993.  

Lap band surgery is a restrictive surgical procedure where a band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. This creates a new small stomach pouch and leaves the larger part of the stomach below the band. The food storage area in the stomach is reduced since the pouch above the band can hold only a small amount of food. The band also controls the stoma (stomach outlet) between the two parts of the stomach. The size of the stoma regulates the flow of the food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach. When the stoma is smaller, you feel full sooner and have a feeling of satiety so you are not hungry between meals.

The band is connected by tubing to an access port that is placed beneath the skin during surgery. Later, the surgeon can change the stoma size by adding or subtracting saline inside the inner balloon of the band through the access port. This adjustment process helps drive the rate of weight loss. If the band is too loose and weight loss inadequate, adding more saline can reduce the size of the stoma to further restrict the amount of food that can move through it. If the band it too tight, the surgeon will remove some saline to loosen the band and reduce the amount of restriction.

Lap Band Surgery Advantages

• Minimally invasive with no cutting or stapling of the bowel, and no re-routing of the intestines
• Because of certain pre-existing conditions, some patients may be better surgical candidates for the band rather than the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
• There may be a shorter hospital stay with the band procedure

Lap Band Surgery Disadvantages

• Slower weight loss initially and less weight loss overall
• Less tolerance to solid food, especially meat
• Involves placement of a foreign object inside the body, and may require removal and/or replacement 

Next Step

• Barix Clinics offers several surgical weight loss options. Schedule a consultation with a surgeon to discuss which option is best for you