A Brief Overview About Gastric Band Surgery
An adjustable gastric band, also known as a gastric band, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band or LAGB, is a thin flexible plastic device molded around the top part of your abdomen to effectively reduce food intake, meant to reduce weight. This is done by the use of a laparoscope. Once fitted, it is recommended that you wear the band only for two to three months, as the body adjusts to the device and the gastric band needs to be removed gradually. After the first few weeks, you can then go back to eating normally.
The primary purpose of this procedure is to reduce weight by making the patient lose excessive stomach pouch capacity. When stomach pouch size gets small, there is lesser intake of food, and the person develops severe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, etc. The number of such patients who have undergone adjustable gastric banding surgery has considerably increased over the years, resulting in more demand for the surgical procedure. Also, many patients prefer the surgical procedure because they do not like to go under the knife again for many months. Only a small part of the stomach pouch is cut off for each incision, thereby ensuring that there is absolutely no trauma to the body. Also, the procedure is less invasive, which reduces recovery time and discomfort for the patient.
Another unique feature of this malabsorption gastric band is that it does not cause any damage to the adjacent organs. Unlike the previous type of bariatric procedure, this one does not create any hindrance to the normal functioning of the other organs. This is because the laparoscopy process is very minimal and does not require bypasses, resections, or lumpectomies. The only part of the digestive tract that gets affected is the large intestine. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to clearly see the stomach, so there is no need for any damage to the adjacent organs.
The gastric band is basically made of two thin strips of metal that are connected by a thin brass wire. They are then fastened around the upper part of the small intestine and stitched with a rubber band at its base. The band itself does not create any malabsorption or pouching. It only acts as a kind of anchor, keeping the pouch distended and making it easier for the food to pass through. In the event that the food could cause gastric distress or blockage, an additional rubber band can be placed around it.
In cases when there is a delay in gastric emptying, the band can also be adjusted. When the smaller stomach pouch becomes too full, the patient feels a mild sense of hunger. If the person tends to eat a lot when he is not hungry, then he can continue to do so as long as there are no symptoms of gastric distress. As soon as he feels the effects of hunger, he should take some food to fill up the stomach pouch and make it smaller.
A number of people are wary of any kind of surgery. Fortunately, gastric band is just a small part of a larger body weight loss surgery called bariatric surgery. Gastric band may help with weight loss surgery, but it will not be the only factor. Surgery is always better than no surgery, especially for those who are morbidly obese.
The gastric band procedure is often associated with another procedure, such as liposuction, because both involve the removal of excess fat. The difference is that bariatric surgery entails the use of a surgical agent, a gastric band if you will, which forces the stomach to close. Liposuction, on the other hand, involves simply using a suction device to suction away fat. The difference may seem subtle at first, but there are many different advantages to each procedure. As you grow older, you will probably see an advantage with surgery over liposuction or other weight loss procedures.
It’s important to understand that gastric band surgery is not a cure-all. It cannot make you lose all of your weight overnight. You will have to continue to eat a healthy food diet for the rest of your life in order to maintain your healthy weight. Your doctor can give you more advice about this matter, as well as more information about how the band works.