Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery

Adjustable Gastric Banding involves the Laparoscopic placement of an adjustable band around the upper stomach. When performing the banding procedure, your physician will implant two devices in the abdomen: a silicone band and an injection port. The silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating two connected chambers of the stomach. The injection port is attached to the abdominal wall underneath the skin and connected to the band with soft, thin tubing. By restricting the amount of food allowed into the stomach, it provides early fullness with small, solid meals. The band can be tightened or relaxed by injecting a saline solution through the injection port. This allows the surgeon to make adjustments to match any individual’s needs. Several adjustments will need to be made periodically after the procedure is completed in order to find the most suitable level for the particular patient. The procedure is reversible.

What to Expect after the Gastric Banding Procedure

Of course, as with any surgery the recovery time will vary between each patient, depending on the procedure and the patient’s general health. The less invasive nature of the procedure lends itself to shorter recovery times and hospital stays however only your physician will be able to give you a full picture of recovery. You will have follow up visits as the band needs to be adjusted several time to ensure optimal and safe weight loss. In resolving co-morbidities, most patients find that their Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol will be reduced or resolved entirely.

Risks of the Gastric Banding Procedure

Gastric banding can be very effective in the resolution of morbid obesity however you will have to dedicate yourself to a new lifestyle, following specific diet and exercise guidelines in order to reach and maintain your weight goals. Gastric banding requires more follow-up care than most other bariatric surgeries and since the band is adjustable, the amount of restriction will be changed several times before we find the optimal level. Even after reaching your ideal weight, you may need to see us periodically to adjust the band further. Risks include:

• Migration of implant (band erosion, band slippage, port displacement)
• Tubing-related complications (port disconnection, tubing kinking)
• Band leak
• Esophageal spasm
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Inflammation of the esophagus or stomach
• Port-site infection
• Inherent risks of any surgical procedure