Gastric Band: Is it the Best Weight Loss Surgery?

Gastric band surgery, also known as lap band surgery, is a common form of weight loss surgery for overweight patients. The procedure, which is done through laparoscopic techniques, involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the top part of the stomach. This helps patients feel full sooner, eat less, and ultimately lose weight.

What is Gastric Band  Weight Loss Surgery?

During gastric band surgery, a silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach using laparoscopic techniques and general anaesthesia. This band separates the stomach into a smaller upper pouch, which limits the amount of food that can be eaten, and a larger lower pouch. Eating and drinking may take up to three times as long as normal, as food must pass through the band before entering the stomach. The band’s tightness can be adjusted during follow-up appointments. It is usually done 8-12 weeks post-surgery, by injecting more saline solution into a port located under the skin.

Who Can Have a Lap-Band Operation?

Gastric band weight loss surgery may be a suitable option for those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40, or a BMI over 35 with additional medical issues such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. The procedure is also suitable for those without any health issues that may put them at risk during surgery. It can be an effective way for those who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise to manage their eating habits and achieve long-term results. Before deciding if surgery is right for you, your bariatric surgeon will evaluate your BMI and conduct an examination. You can also check your own BMI using our BMI calculator.

Gastric Band Operation Before and After

Before the procedure, a team of surgeons, psychologists, and nutritionists will evaluate you to ensure you are a good candidate for surgery. If you are approved, you will be put on a diet for two weeks before the operation to reduce the size of your liver and lower any potential risks during surgery. You will also be required to stop smoking a few weeks before the operation as it increases the risk of blood clots or infections. After the surgery, you will be placed in a recovery room and given medications to manage pain and discomfort. You will be able to drink water as soon as you wake up. You will be discharged within 24 hours and provided with instructions for a speedy recovery. In the first year after gastric band surgery, patients typically lose 40% of their excess body weight.

Benefits of Gastric Band Surgery

If the procedure is successful, gastric band surgery can offer long-term weight loss benefits including:

• Reversibility, as the procedure, does not make any permanent changes to the stomach
• Minimally invasive compared to other forms of weight loss surgery, with a lower risk of complications
• Can help with a variety of obesity-related co-morbid disorders
• Short recovery period and minimal physical scarring

Risks

However, there are also potential complications that can arise from gastric band surgery, including:

• Port or tubing malfunction
• Stomal Obstruction
• Band erosion
• Pouch dilation
• Port inflexion

Due to the risks involved, Avicenna International Hospital does not perform gastric band surgery. T To learn more about other bariatric surgeries performed at our hospital, such as Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve, you can contact Avicenna obesity centre.

Gastric Band Surgery Cost

The cost of weight loss surgery might vary significantly. The cost of gastric band surgery is around £6000 in the UK. However, it is often cheaper in other countries, such as Turkey, where it can cost as low as £2000.