| If you're thinking about undergoing weight loss surgery, | | | | around the uppermost section of the stomach using |
| it's not only an important medical decision but a | | | | the preferred keyhole laparoscopic surgery. The |
| significant financial decision too. Lap band surgery or | | | | placement of the band creates a small pouch right at |
| adjustable gastric band procedure is usually used in | | | | the top of the stomach which holds about 50 ml. The |
| dire circumstances and is performed with laparoscopic | | | | pouch 'fills' with food quickly and the passage of food |
| instruments, which means the surgery is minimally | | | | from the top to the bottom of the stomach is quite |
| invasive and has a short time for recovery. The | | | | slowed down. This surgery, unlike the traditional |
| American company, INAMED Health, designed the | | | | malabsorptive weight loss type (Roux-en-Y, |
| BioEnterics LAP-BAND Adjustable Gastric Banding | | | | biliopancreatic and duodenal switch) doesn't cut out or |
| System, which was first introduced in Europe back in | | | | remove any part of the digestive system. |
| 1993. | | | | After surgery the patient should eat less, eat more |
| Gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and | | | | slowly and chew food thoroughly. Initial weight loss is |
| weight loss system is usually indicated for people | | | | slower than with Roux-en-Y but statistics show that |
| whose Body Mass Index is above 40. Or for those | | | | over five years the weight loss outcome is pretty |
| people who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more over their | | | | much similar. Some patients may find that before their |
| estimated ideal weight according to the 1983 | | | | first 'fill' they're still able to eat large portions. |
| Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables (still used today). Or | | | | The band may remain deflated during pregnancy and |
| for those people between 30 to 40 who have | | | | once breast feeding or bottle-feeding is completed it |
| co-morbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep | | | | may gradually be re-inflated to help with postpartum |
| apnea, arthritis), which may improve with weight loss. | | | | weight loss if necessary. Many physicians make the |
| Those who are eligible to have it must be between | | | | first adjustment between six to eight weeks following |
| ages 18 and 55 years, although there are doctors who | | | | surgery to allow the stomach adequate time to heal. |
| will perform surgery outside these ages, some may be | | | | Then after that the fills are done as needed. |
| as young as 12. It should not be performed when | | | | A common occurrence for patients is regurgitation of |
| severe cardiopulmonary diseases or other conditions | | | | swallowed - acidic food from the upper pouch, which |
| are present, which make them poor candidates. | | | | is commonly known as productive burping and is not |
| Inflammatory diseases of the g. i. tract like ulcers, | | | | normal. Other complications include ulceration and |
| esophagitis or Crohn's disease don't make a person a | | | | irritated stomach tissue. |
| good candidate. In order to be considered one must | | | | On occasion, the narrow passage into the lower part |
| have a good comprehension of the risks and benefits | | | | of the stomach may become blocked by a large |
| of the procedure and have a willingness to comply | | | | portion of food that is unchewed. Mechanical |
| with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions that are | | | | malfunctions can occur including port leakage, some |
| required for long term success. | | | | cracking of the kink-resistant tubing or disruption of the |
| Unlike people who have procedures such as the | | | | tubing connection from the port to the band, pain at the |
| Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch or | | | | port site and port displacement. |
| biliopancreatic diversion surgery, it's unusual for gastric | | | | Lap band surgery and gastric banding if compared to |
| band patients to experience any nutritional deficiencies | | | | other weight loss surgeries have shown a much lower |
| or malabsorption of their micro-nutrients. So as the | | | | mortality rate, the stomach returning to normal if the |
| upper part of the stomach perceives that it's full, the | | | | band is removed, there's no cutting or stapling of the |
| message to the brain is that the stomach is full and this | | | | stomach, the band is adjustable without additional |
| sensation is what helps the person eat smaller portions | | | | surgery and there are no malabsorption issues |
| and lose weight over time. Calcium supplements and | | | | because no intestines are bypassed. There are also |
| Vitamin B12 injections are not usually required as they | | | | fewer life threatening complications. And the |
| are with the Roux-en-Y and other types. | | | | psychological effects of any weight loss procedure |
| The adjustable gastric band or Lap Band is an | | | | also should not be ignored. Be aware that some |
| inflatable silicone prosthetic device which is placed | | | | people have died undergoing this surgery. |