What is it?

LAP-BANDR Adjustable Gastric Banding System is a minimally invasive surgery that involves applying a prosthesis (the LAP-BAND) around the stomach-creating a small gastric pouch-and a calibrated opening to the rest of the stomach.

Before Surgery:

You will undergo an extensive work-up to determine whether this operation is indicated and safe in your case. The preoperative screening will consist of complete blood tests, imaging studies, a gastroscopy and consultations with various specialists.

The Operation:

The idea behind the operation is to create a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach with a controlled and adjustable stoma, without stapling, thus limiting food intake.

A gastric band device is introduced through tiny (1cm) incisions in the abdomen and is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The resulting pouch (or the "new stomach") dramatically reduces the functional capacity of the stomach. The band has a balloon from the inside that is adjustable and can reduce stoma size, thus prolonging the period of fullness.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and can last between 30 minutes and 1 hour. The Band is fitted around the uppermost part of the stomach, forming a 15cc small pouch. It is designed so that it can be inflated or deflated at any time after the operation. This helps the patient continually lose weight until they reach their goals. The restriction takes place in the radiology suite and normally takes 15 minutes. This simple procedure is painless they inject saline into a port placed under the skin in the wall of the stomach. The tube that comes off of the band leads to the port.

Advantages of gastric banding:

• No cutting of the stomach
• No stapling of the stomach
• Calibrated pouch and stoma size
• Can be adjusted to patient's needs after surgery with no operation to adjust the stoma
• Laparoscopic removal possible
• Fully reversible
• Short hospital stay (does not exceed 48 hours)

How It Works:

By creating a smaller gastric pouch, the LAP-BAND System limits the amount of food that the stomach will hold at any time. The inflatable ring controls the flow of food from this smaller pouch to the rest of the digestive tract. The patient will feel comfortably full with a small amount of food. And because of the slow emptying, the patient will continue to feel full for several hours reducing the urge to eat between meals.