Lap Band Surgery

Obesity has become a serious problem in America, affecting approximately 65% of adult Americans today. That’s why many types of weight loss surgeries have been developed today, such as gastric bypass surgery, bilipancreatic diversion bypass, and lap-band surgery. These procedures involve the stapling or decreasing the size of the stomach to minimize food intake.

Silicone gastric banding

The lap-band system started with the development of the open adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) by Dr. Lubomyr Kuzmak in 1986. Only during 1991 was it developed to be used in the treatment of obesity by Dr. Mitiku Belachew and Dr. M. Legrand in Belgium. After two years of experimenting on animals, the first laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure was done on a human in Belgium. In 2001, the Lap-Band System was finally approved for use in the US by the Food and Drug Administration.

Before Lap Band surgery

Before surgery, the patients would undergo a series of blood tests, consultations, a gastroscopy, and an extensive work-up to determine whether the operation would be safe for them. Also, if their Body Mass Index (BMI) would be within the range of 35 – 39 kg/m2, which corresponds to morbid obesity, they may be candidates for lap-band surgery.

When the Lap Band Surgery begins

Once the patient passes the standards, the surgery can proceed. It starts with the incision of the abdomen, where the gastric band is introduced and placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch filled with salt water in its inner surface. An access port allows the addition or subtraction of the saline so that the size of the stomach outlet may be adjusted. The small pouch would make the patient feel full at low food intake, and in effect, helps in losing weight.

Advantages of Lap Band Surgery

Aside form its being adjustable, its advantages also include: being removable anytime, no stapling of the stomach (unlike gastric bypass), no need for long incisions, less pain, and faster recovery for the patients. Patients can stay overnight at the hospital, but sometimes this is not necessary. The operation only takes about 30 minutes to one hour, then if no complications occur, the patient can be sent home right after.

Cost of Lap Band Surgery

Generally, the surgery costs from $12,000 to $30,000, depending on the location and the experience of the surgeon. After surgery, it is important for the patients to adapt a new nutritional plan to help them in choosing the right food to eat so that they may not have any nutritional deficiencies, though they are eating minimally. Fatty foods and alcohol are to be avoided, for these are high calorie foods and are not exactly healthy. The patients are also recommended to have an exercise plan, so that they would not develop a sedentary lifestyle.

Lap Band Surgery Failure

Like all other surgeries, risks are also involved in this operation. Death, for one, can occur anytime during the operation despite the necessary precautions taken. Inflammation of the stomach and the esophagus may also be observed, but only a minority of those who have undergone surgery experienced this. Also, the band may slip upwards, causing heartburn or vomiting. Further complications include dehydration, chest and abdominal pains, paresthesia, dysmenorrhea, constipation, and others.