Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Health and Wellness » Obesity Treatments in India » Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding is usually performed through small incisions in the tummy using a small camera. The band limits the amount of food you can eat by making you feel full after eating small amounts of food.

After surgery, your doctor can adjust the band to make food pass more slowly or quickly through your digestive system. Laparoscopic gastric banding was first pioneered around 100 years ago with the first laparoscopic operation performed on human being in 1910.

Alternative Names of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Lap Band, LAGB, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric banding

Procedure of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Gastric banding is a surgical procedure where a band is placed around the top part of your stomach. This creates a small pouch that can only hold a little bit of food. The band creates a narrow opening between the pouch and the rest of the stomach. This opening controls the passage of food from the pouch to the stomach. As the opening is small, it takes some time for the food to pass through it. This helps you eat less and feel full at the same time. In addition to the band, an access port connected by tubing is placed in the abdomen wall which allows the size of the band to be increased or decreased according to the saline. Thus helping you gradually lose weight.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding :-

It is a very attractive alternative to the other gastric surgeries such as stomach stapling or gastric bypass for the following reasons:

Ordeal from surgery is significantly reduced - no cutting through the stomach lining, no stapling.
The Lap Band procedure uses laparoscopic technology which only requires a very small incision (5 to 10 millimeters).
A natural process which does not take away any part of the stomach or intestines is not bypassed.
Flexible and individualized process for your needs - the ring can be inflated or deflated to allow food to pass more slowly or quickly.
Completely reversible - the band can be removed.
Minimally invasive surgery, which means no long-term recovery, no long-term hospital stay.

Risks of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding :-

Vomiting from eating more than your stomach pouch can hold
Gastritis, heartburn, stomach ulcers
During surgery, injury to your stomach or other organs
Gastric band may partly slip out of place
Scarring inside your belly

Suitability of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding :-

People who are suitable for this laparoscopic gastric banding procedure usually need to meet the following criteria-

Aged 18 years or above
Have been overweight or obese for more than five years
Not drink alcohol excessively
Not pregnant at the time of procedure
Not suffering from an ailment that have resulted in weight gain
Have made various efforts of weight loss but all in vain
Prepared to stick to a long term changed eating habits and lifestyle

The laparoscopic gastric banding is a form of restrictive gastric bypass surgery which is now being favored by many surgeons. It ensures shorter stay at the hospital and a quick recovery. Once set in place, the band can also be adjusted without further surgery. This procedure is also fully reversible as after removal of the band the stomach returns to its pre-operative state.

From this brief account of the laparoscopic gastric banding, it should not be concluded that it doesn’t have any risks. It also has its demerits but as compared to the other forms of weight loss surgery, it is an attractive option for many people who are contemplating surgery.