Adjustable Gastric Banding is a surgical procedure used in the treatment of Obesity.

In Adjustable Gastric Banding surgery a hollow band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating a small pouch (about 7 ounces) with a narrow passage leading into the larger remainder of the stomach.

The band is attached by tubing to an access port placed under the abdominal wall where it is inflated with a saline solution with a hypodermic needle.

The band can be tightened or loosened by your physician to change the size of the passage by increasing or decreasing the amount of salt solution. This ability to adjust the passageway enables your physician to customize your weight loss while minimizing adverse side effects.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery, widely known as Lap-Band surgery, is a type of minimally invasive weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) that involves placing a band around the upper part of the stomach to reduce the size of stomach and to limit the capacity of food intake.

The lap band surgery is performed using small surgical incisions (portals) and long shafted narrow instruments. The surgery involves placement of an inflatable silicone band around the upper part of your stomach to create a small pouch to hold only a small amount of food.

Lap-Band surgery is recommended for obese patients only after non-surgical options such as lifestyle modifications and weight loss medication are unsuccessful in reducing weight loss.

Adjustable Gastric Banding

Advantages of Lap band surgery over other weight loss surgeries include:

  • Least invasive weight loss procedure
  • Minimal trauma
  • Needs no cutting or stapling of the stomach
  • Quick recovery
  • Experience less pain
  • Shorter hospital stay

Lap band surgery results in improved weight loss and obesity related health issues. With lap band surgery, patients can expect a gradual but steady weight loss. Your obesity surgeon can adjust the band if the rate of weight loss is not acceptable or if you have problems with the band.