Is Lap Band Surgery the Weight Loss Solution for You?
If you’re considering weight-loss surgery, it’s not only an important medical decision, but also an important financial decision. Gastric band surgery or the adjustable gastric band procedure is typically used in extreme circumstances and is performed using laparoscopic instruments, which means the surgery is minimally invasive and has a short recovery time. The American company INAMED Health designed the BioEnterics LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding system, which was first introduced in Europe in 1993.
Gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and weight loss system, is generally indicated for people whose body mass index is greater than 40. Or for those who weigh 100 pounds (45 kg) or more than their ideal weight 1983 Metropolitan Life estimate. Insurance tables (still in use today). Or for those in their 30s and 40s who have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis), which may improve with weight loss. Those who are eligible to have it must be between the ages of 18 and 55, although there are doctors who will perform the surgery outside of these ages, some may be as young as 12. It should not be performed when severe cardiopulmonary disease or other conditions are present. , which makes them poor candidates.
Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as ulcers, esophagitis, or Crohn’s disease do not make a person a good candidate. To be considered, one must have a good understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure and be willing to adhere to the substantial lifetime dietary restrictions required for long-term success.
Unlike people who undergo procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch, or biliopancreatic diversion surgery, it is unusual for gastric band patients to experience nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of their micronutrients. Just as the upper part of the stomach perceives that it is full, the message to the brain is that the stomach is full, and this sensation is what helps a person eat smaller portions and lose weight over time. Calcium supplements and vitamin B12 injections are generally not required as they are with Roux-en-Y and other types.
The Adjustable Gastric Band or Lap Band is an inflatable silicone prosthetic device that is placed around the upper part of the stomach using the preferred keyhole laparoscopic surgery. The placement of the band creates a small pouch just at the top of the stomach that holds about 50 ml. The pouch ‘fills’ with food quickly and the passage of food from the top to the bottom of the stomach is slowed down considerably. This surgery, unlike the traditional type of malabsorptive weight loss (Roux-en-Y, biliopancreatic, and duodenal switch) does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system.
After surgery, the patient should eat less, eat more slowly, and chew food well. Initial weight loss is slower than with Roux-en-Y, but statistics show that over five years the weight loss result is quite similar. Some patients may find that before their first “full” they are still able to eat large portions.
The band can remain deflated during pregnancy and once breastfeeding or bottle feeding is complete, it can be gradually re-inflated to help with postpartum weight loss if needed. Many doctors make the first adjustment six to eight weeks after surgery to allow the stomach enough time to heal. Then after that, the fillings are done as needed.
A common occurrence for patients is regurgitation of swallowed acidic food from the upper pouch, which is commonly referred to as productive belching and is not normal. Other complications include ulceration and irritated stomach tissue.
Sometimes the narrow passage to the lower part of the stomach can be blocked by a large piece of food that has not been chewed. Mechanical failures can occur including port leakage, some cracking in the kink resistant tubing or disruption of the port tubing to band connection, pain at the port site, and port displacement.
Gastric band surgery and gastric banding, compared to other weight loss surgeries, have shown a much lower mortality rate, the stomach returns to normal if the band is removed, there are no cuts or staples in the stomach, the band is adjustable without additional surgery and there are no malabsorption problems because the intestines are not bypassed. There are also fewer life-threatening complications. And the psychological effects of any weight loss procedure should not be ignored either. Keep in mind that some people have died having this surgery.