What Is Gastric Banding
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About Gastric Banding
For people who are severely overweight and are experiencing health issues because of their weight, there are many surgical options to consider. Many failed attempts at dieting and exercise can wear on someone’s personal image. One of the most recent and more popular surgical procedures to help with weight loss is known as Gastric Banding.
What is Gastric Banding?
Gastric banding is considered a restrictive surgery. This simply means that it helps produce weight loss. There are several types of techniques surgeons use in this type of surgery which helps reduce the stomach size. The goal after having restrictive surgery is to allow a person to feel less hungry, feel fuller quicker, lose weight, and eat less. The two types of restrictive surgeries are vertical banded gastroplasty and adjustable gastric banding which is done laparoscopically and is the most frequently used form of restrictive weight loss surgery.
Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
Laparoscopic gastric banding is the most popular form of weight loss surgery other than Gastric Bypass surgery. This type of surgery can lead to a 40% loss of excess weight. For example, a patient weighing in at 200 pounds or more overweight could lose approximately 75 pounds or more after gastric banding surgery. It’s important to note that these are the average results and not everyone will experience the same results.
The procedure for Laparoscopic Gastric Banding includes:
- The surgeon uses laparoscopic tools and puts a silicone band around the top part of the stomach that is adjustable.
- The stomach then forms a pouch when the silicone band is squeezed leaving about an outlet about an inch wide. After the procedure the stomach will be able to hold approximately one ounce of food.
- There will be a plastic tube that runs under the skin that runs from the silicone band to a special device. This device is used to either remove or inject sterile salt water through the skin that flows either to the band or from the band. By injecting this sterile salt water, the band will fill up and will become tighter.
- The silicone band can be easily loosened or tightened as needed or desired which can reduce some of the side effects and increase chances of weight loss.
This type of surgery is considered to be the lease invasive and safest amongst all surgical weight loss procedures. It can be reversed and over time the stomach will go back to its normal size.
Side Effects of Gastric Banding Surgery
As with all surgeries, there are some side effects to be aware of, when learning about gastric banding. This procedure has a very low rate of complication on the operating table. In some cases, people who have undergone gastric banding surgery have experienced some side effects after the procedure, including but not limited to:
- Nausea or vomiting which can be decreased by adjusting how tight the band is.
- There is always a risk of death with any surgery; though it is very rare with gastric banding surgery, the risk of death with this procedure is approximately one in 2,000.
- Minor complications related to surgery may occur 10% or less of the time and may include infections of the wound site, concerns with the adjustment device, and very minor instances of bleeding.
Gastric banding does not affect food absorption unlike gastric bypass. Deficiencies in vitamin intake are usually rare after gastric banding surgery.
These are the most important concepts we thought you’d like to know about gastric banding surgery. If you’re really considering this procedure, we urge you to speak with your doctor and create your unique Bariatric Profile with us. We can guide you from start to finish; determining the right procedure for you, scheduling appointments, financing (if needed), and so much more!
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