What is Gastric Banding?
Gastric banding, also known as lap banding, is
a highly effective procedure that limits how much you can eat by
making you feel full after eating a small portion of food. It works
by restricting the capacity of your stomach so that you eat less
and, over time, lose weight.
What does this involve?
During the operation, your surgeon will place an adjustable band
around your stomach to create two compartments, keeping a narrow
opening between the top and bottom so that food can pass through it
slowly. As a consequence, there is a limited space left for food so
it should quickly create the sensation of fullness. Once the food
passes through the opening into the lower part of the stomach, it
then makes its way through the rest of the digestive system.
The band will be inserted into the abdomen using keyhole surgery,
through four or five small cuts.
After the procedure, your band may be adjusted depending on how
much weight you are losing, and how quickly you are losing it.
Fluid is usually injected into the band to tighten it, and this is
known as a band fill. These will be done at hospital, and the
first one is usually six weeks after gastric banding.
Top
When will I recover?
You may need to stay in hospital one or two nights so we can
make sure you are happy with everything before you go home,
although some gastric banding operations are now carried out as a
day case with no overnight stay in hospital.
Most people need around two weeks to recover after the operation
and you will need to visit hospital regularly to have the banding
adjusted. You will need to attend follow-up appointments with your
doctor and dietician.
Our team of dieticians and specialist nurses will look after you
throughout your stay and provide support and advice after
surgery.
Top
What risks should I know about?
Gastric banding is a commonly performed and generally safe
procedure. However, all surgery carries an element of risk.
These include the possibility of bleeding and infection after
surgery and band slippage. Some people also find that after a
year or two of rapid weight loss they are left with excess
skin.
Top
Circle care
Gastric banding is carried out at CircleBath, our state of the
art hospital, which provides you with the best facilities and
superb patient care. We have a dedicated team of Weight loss
Surgeons and Nurses who will guide you through the process from
first consultation to after-care and will be available to answer
any questions or queries you may have.
Top