Introduction to gastric band

Gastric band surgery is a restrictive procedure, which means it limits the amount of food that can be contained within the stomach. It is a good alternative for patients who do not want or do not qualify for more extensive procedures, such as gastric bypass.

Because it is a restrictive procedure, it does not effect the body’s ability to absorb food. Patients who receive gastric band surgery will not have to follow any special diets and will not need to take nutritional supplements. The gastric band works through portion control only, it does not effect the foods the patient can eat.

The band is a hollow ring that is fitted around the stomach. Surgeons fill the ring with silicon, which then applies pressure and restricts the amount of room inside the stomach. Patients will feel full after eating smaller portions of food.
At the beginning of the procedure, the surgeon will use a small needle to insert gas into the abdominal cavity. The gas shifts the cavity away from the stomach, which allows the surgeon more room to work.

Small incisions will be made in the patient’s abdomen. Instruments and the laparoscopic camera will be inserted into the incisions. This form of surgery is called keyhole surgery. Recovery from keyhole surgery is much shorter than that of more extensive surgeries because they require larger incisions.

The surgeon will wrap the gastric band around the stomach and tighten it. A tube will be attached to the band and a port will be installed under the skin. The port will be attached to the tube and will be located just below the patient’s chest via a small incision.

The surgeon can use the port to inject fluid into the gastric band for the entire lifetime of the patient. The band will force food to move more slowly through the stomach which will result in the patient feeling full faster and for longer periods of time.

Surgeons will not fill the band at the time of the gastric band procedure. This is because the stomach needs to fully heal before injecting the fluid. Generally, patients wait six to eight weeks before surgeons will fill the gastric band.

The first filling of the gastric band will take place under an x-ray. This is to ensure that the band is properly placed. Any additional fillings will take place in an examination room, not beneath the x-ray.

After the procedure, the incisions will be closed with either stitches or a surgical glue. The patient will be kept in the hospital overnight for observation. It is generally not necessary for patients to stay in the hospital for more than 24 hours.

The effects of the anaesthetics and painkillers may effect patients for up to three days. Patients are advised to not drive, operate machinery, or participate in any strenuous activity during the first few days of recovery. Patients should be able to drive and return to work between seven and ten days after the surgery.

The gastric band is fit firmly in place, but it can slip as a result of overeating. It is important that patients follow a diet plan to avoid vomiting, nausea, or discomfort associated with gastric band slippage. Patients experiencing these symptoms should contact their surgeons.

Patients with the gastric band are able to safely exercise once the incisions have healed. Exercise and a healthy diet can improve the results of the gastric band.

Patients will continue to meet with the team of specialists after the procedure. The specialists will track the progress of the patient’s weight loss and assist them in meeting their goals.

Support groups are also an important part of recovery for many patients. It can be beneficial for patients to learn from those who have already had the surgery and are in the process of meeting their weight loss goals. Many patients find these support groups helpful and encouraging.

The gastric band can remain safely in place throughout the lifetime of the patient. While the gastric band procedure is relatively new, there have been no reports of negative long term effects.

The gastric band procedure is reversible. The band can be deflated or removed completely. The band can also be adjusted to accommodate more or less food throughout the patient’s life. The specialist team will take caloric intake and weight loss goals into consideration when determining how much to tighten the gastric band.

As with all surgeries, there are risks associated with the gastric band. These risks include bleeding, infections, blood clots in the lungs, and pulmonary thrombosis. Gastric side effects such as reflux or stoma blockage are also a possibility. Negative reactions to the anaesthetics or medications could occur as well.

The gastric band procedure is considered to be low risk, but like all surgeries, there is always the risk of death. Only one in every 2,000 gastric band surgeries results in the death of a patient.

The surgeon and specialist team will help patients determine whether or not the gastric band surgery is a safe option. The patient’s BMI, as well as medical and psychological conditions will be taken into consideration when choosing their weight loss solution.

How does a gastric band work?

Gastric band surgery is a restrictive procedure that limits the amount of food that can be taken into the stomach. The amount of food that can be held in the patient’s stomach will be restricted by the application of a hollow band. The band is wrapped around the stomach at the desired position and then filled with silicon. The procedure will result in patients consuming smaller portions of food, which will aid in weight loss.

The surgeon will decide how to adjust the band depending on the calorie intake and desired weight loss of the patient. The customisability of the gastric band is one attribute that makes it a popular weight loss procedure.

The insertion of the gastric band is done via keyhole surgery. This means that surgeons will insert instruments through small incisions in the abdomen, rather than a single long one. Keyhole surgeries are beneficial to patients because they enable faster recovery time and less scarring than traditional surgeries.

Sometimes it is necessary to tighten or loosen the gastric band. After time, leaks in the bands do occur. Patients notice the effects of the leaks when their appetite increases. There are no health risks of gastric band leaks, however, in order to maintain effectiveness, the surgeon will refill the gastric band. Leaks that are not refilled could result in the patient overeating and gaining weight. Most gastric bands can be adjusted by surgeons via ports, but some newer bands have electronic systems that can be controlled remotely.

It is important that patients are in good shape before the surgery. This means preparing by eating healthy foods and beginning an exercise plan. Patients should also quit smoking before the procedure.

Patients receiving gastric band surgery will be under a general anaesthetic and will need to have a ride to and from the hospital. patients may feel groggy from the anaesthetic for a day or two after the procedure.

The band begins working immediately, however, patients will be on a liquid only diet for around two weeks. This allows the patient to get used to the band before attempting to consume solid foods.

Patients will be moved to a private room or ward after the surgery and may remain there for 24 hours or more depending on their vitals. Gastric band patients will be released as soon as the surgeon deems them ready.

Those who choose the gastric band as a weight loss solution should expect to loose around 50% of their excess weight.