What Is Gastric Band Surgery?
Gastric band surgery also called laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a bariatric surgical procedure intended to treat morbid obesity. This procedure has been around since the 1970s, but it didn’t become popular until recently because of the existence of newer and better techniques for this type of surgery.
Why Is Gastric Band Surgery Done?
Gastric band surgery is done to achieve weight loss in people who are obese. The idea behind the procedure is that it restricts food intake, thus leading to reduced calorie consumption and weight loss. Since it’s less invasive than other types of bariatric surgery, such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) surgery, gastric band surgery is a good option for obese individuals who may be at risk of complications that can arise from more serious types of weight-loss surgeries.
The procedure is performed laparoscopically, which means it’s done with the use of a slim, lighted tube called a laparoscope. The surgeon will make small cuts around the abdomen and insert the laparoscope. Then a small incision is made in the upper part of the stomach just below the belly button, where a silicone band is then placed around it to create a small pouch. From this pouch, parts of the stomach are stapled together so that they can’t be easily separated from one another. This restricts the amount of food that can be eaten since the small pouch fills up quickly.
Benefits
· After gastric band surgery, patients lose an average of 40-50 percent excess body weight over a couple of years. This is more than the loss seen in most other types of bariatric procedures.
Gastric band surgery is also minimally invasive, meaning it has a lower risk of complications than more serious types of weight-loss surgeries.
· Because they can eat smaller portions after surgery, patients may feel less hungry and be better able to avoid eating too much.
Risks
Like any other bariatric surgery, gastric band surgery carries the risk of serious side effects. This includes infections (if the incision doesn’t heal properly) and internal hernia, which is when any organs in or near the abdomen protrude through an opening or weakened muscle.
Gastric band surgery is an effective procedure that can help obese individuals lose a significant amount of weight. It’s less invasive than other bariatric surgical procedures and has fewer risks, especially if it’s performed by an experienced surgeon. However, even though this is a potentially life-saving treatment for obesity and its related health problems, gastric band surgery should never be considered an easy way out. Anyone planning to get the surgery must still commit to losing weight through proper diet and exercise after they’ve had their stomachs reduced in size.