LAP-BAND Surgery
If you are interested in weight loss surgery, the adjustable gastric band may be an option for you. LAP-BAND surgery is a type of surgery that restricts the amount of food you can comfortably eat. It is also the only surgery that does not permanently alter your gastric tract.
What is Lap Band Surgery?
An adjustable gastric band, also called LAP-BAND, is similar in size and shape to a napkin ring measuring about 1½ inches across. The lap band is connected by a plastic tube to a "port" or filling station. The lap band itself is positioned around the top of your stomach, while the port is fixed to the abdominal wall muscles near your belly button. The port is usually invisible to the eye even after weight loss is achieved. Your lap band surgery provider will access that port with a small needle to periodically adjust your band.
How Does the Lap Band Work?
The adjustable gastric band works similarly to other restrictive weight loss operations. The adjustable gastric band restricts your stomach causing you to feel full by consuming less food. When the gastric band is positioned correctly, it will leave only a very small pouch of stomach about the size of a walnut. The rest of your stomach is below the "waist" created by the band.
When a patient who has undergone lap band surgery eats, the esophagus pushes each swallow of food toward the stomach. When the food reaches that tiny pouch above the band, however, it has to stop, or at least pause there. The center channel through a Lap-Band that is adjusted correctly is quite narrow. It measures about the width of your pinky finger. Each swallowed bite of food has to slowly wiggle its way through that narrow channel to get through the pouch and continue moving downward. Once food gets past the lap band, it continues its course and digestion proceeds as normal.
Do Gastric Bands Work?
While those little bites of food are waiting in the pouch for their turn to "squeeze" through to the stomach, they are distending the walls of the pouch slightly. That tension activates your stomach's special nerves that create the sensation of fullness and satisfaction. With the gastric band's help, you can activate those nerves to create a satisfyingly full feeling while consuming a much smaller portion of food than you previously ate.
How Are Gastric Bands Adjusted?
Your gastric band will require adjustment periodically for life. In the beginning stages, adjustment is more frequent and you can expect to return to your bariatric surgeon every six weeks.
Lap Band surgery usually takes about 30 minutes and most patients leave the hospital the same day. The rate of serious complications with lap band surgery is the lowest of other bariatric surgery procedures. However, revisional surgery for concerns that require adjustments are more common than with other bariatric operations. Weight loss averages 45% of excess weight.
Filling the Gastric Band
Filling your gastric band is best performed by your eating coach. A good band adjustment "manager" is the key to success. The skill level of this individual, whether he/she is a doctor, nurse, or P.A., is much more important to your weight loss success with a lap band than of the surgeon who installed it. To experience a successful weight loss procedure, interview band adjustment managers because you elect to have lap band surgery so that you have the support you need.
To discuss adjustable gastric banding as an option for your weight loss journey, give us a call at 703.709.9771 or visit our Contact Us page for our email address and online form.
