Useful Details About Lapband Surgery

By Matthew Hall


Over the years, many people have struggled with obesity. While the best mode of treatment remains lifestyle modification, over time more and more people have opted for surgical options. Among the most used surgical options is lapband surgery, also called gastric banding. There are many fundamental pieces of information about this procedure that one should know before considering it.

This procedure involves placement of a belt that is adjustable around the upper stomach area. This is done using what is called a laparoscope. The band is manufactured from silicone and can be tightened by adding saline to fill the band. The band is then connected to a port that is placed under skin in the abdominal area. This port is used for introducing or removing saline as is needed.

The aim of the procedure is restriction of size of the stomach and by extension the amount of food which it can hold at any given time. It will also ensure there is slowing down of passage of food into intestines. When this happens, the brain gets signaled by the gut to send the signal that one is full. This leads to less consumption of food. The signal is sent from a minute pouch created at upper stomach sections. When that pouch is full, a signal gets sent to the brain.

The procedure happens under full general anesthesia and will take between one and two hours. It is performed using laparoscopic technique which involves making between 3 to 5 very minute incisions. The incisions are approximately 1 inch in length. The surgeon will insert a small camera into one of the incisions to view the procedure on a screen. The camera is attached to a tube. The remaining incisions will allow for use of surgical instruments and placement of the band.

Preparing well for the procedure will be key. Depending on the program one goes for or the surgeon in question, preparation will be varied. The majority of institutions look to first see how committed the patient is when it comes to change in lifestyle. The patient will be expected to start by eating 5 to 6 very small meals every day in preparation for changes ahead. High calorie foods like ice cream or milk shakes should be avoided.

Recovery is different in different individuals. In general however, the procedure has a short period of hospitalization and quick recover when compared with the other gastric procedures. Majority of people resume work in a week. This is the case if the work in question is not very demanding. You can resume normal activity after 6 weeks.

After the procedure is done, you might feel some discomfort which is however easy to control using medications. After 6 to 8 weeks, normal activity resumes. The process of weight loss is however gradual. In the beginning stages, loss is more dramatic. However, it slows dramatically over time. In most cases, weight loss will be 40 percent of what total weight was.

There are a few expected side effects. They include among others ulceration of the targeted areas, vomiting, nausea and dehydration. Some patients can experience weight gain.




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