LAP-BAND® System FAQ
How does the LAP-BAND® System work?
What are the advantages of the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
How might the LAP-BAND® System affect my current medical problems?
How long will it take to recover after the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
Will my eating habits change after I have the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
How much weight will I lose?
Will I have to exercise?
Does the LAP-BAND® System Procedure require frequent visits to my doctor after surgery?
How is the gastric band adjusted?
Where is the access port located? Does it require special care? Is it visible?
How often do I have to have my gastric band adjusted?
Can the gastric band be removed?
What is the difference between LAP-BAND® System and REALIZE BAND?
What are the Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding?
How does the LAP-BAND® System work?
In this procedure, your surgeon inserts an inflatable gastric band through small (laparoscopic) incisions and positions it around the upper part of your stomach. This creates a small stomach pouch and passageway into the lower part of the stomach. This procedure will allow you to feel full and satisfied while you actually eat less and lose weight. The gastric band is inflated or adjusted with a saline solution through a tiny tube that connects the band to a small access port placed beneath the surface of the skin of the abdomen. Your surgeon can tailor your weight loss to your specific requirements as the band may be tightened or loosened over time to adjust the size of the passage by adding or removing saline solution.
Back to Top
What are the advantages of the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
LAGB or the LAP-BAND® System Procedure:
- Is the least invasive weight loss surgery available
- Is adjustable – it can be “tailored” to your specific weight loss needs or other medical conditions
- Doesn’t require cutting, stapling or rerouting of the stomach or intestines
- Can be performed in an ambulatory outpatient (day surgery) setting
- Offers a short recovery period
- Is reversible
- Provides lower risks with the surgery and less serious long term complications
How might the LAP-BAND® System affect my current medical problems?
After weight loss surgery with the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Band, many medical problems such as hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea may, depending on your individual circumstance, improve or, in some cases, be resolved. It is not necessary to lose all of your excess weight in order to achieve improvement with many of these medical conditions. Your surgeon will consider your individual circumstances and will be able to discuss how weight loss may positively impact your existing weight-related medical problems.
Back to Top
How long will it take to recover after the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
Recovery time depends on many variables and differs from patient to patient. It takes most patients a week or less (usually 3 to 5 days) to return to work or your normal routine and about 4 weeks to resume exercising and any heavy lifting.
Will my eating habits change after I have the LAP-BAND® System Procedure?
The LAP-BAND® System Adjustable Gastric Band will not change your eating habits for you, but it will provide a very valuable tool in helping you make the changes necessary for success.
Back to Top
How much weight will I lose?
Weight-loss varies from patient to patient, and the amount of weight you lose depends on several factors. You will need to be committed to your new lifestyle and eating habits. Obesity surgery is not a miracle cure, and the pounds will not come off by themselves. The LAP-BAND® System Adjustable Gastric Band is a valuable tool to support you in achieving lasting results by limiting food intake, reducing appetite and slowing down digestion. It is very important to work with your surgeon and the bariatric team to set achievable weight-loss goals from the beginning. A weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week in the first year after the operation is possible. We set a target for band patients to lose 75% of their excess body weight and we have had many patients achieve this goal. Most studies show about 60% excess body weight in the long-run.
Remember that you should lose weight gradually. Losing weight too quickly creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. The main goal is to have weight loss that prevents, improves, or resolves health problems connected with being seriously over weight.
Back to Top
Will I have to exercise?
Yes! The band is a very powerful tool to help you lose weight, but it is not magic. Exercise is mandatory if you want to be successful.
Does the LAP-BAND® procedure require frequent visits to my doctor after surgery?
Check-ups with your surgeon are a normal and very important part of the LAP-BAND® System follow-up. Many surgeons see their patients biweekly during the first month and every 4 to 12 weeks during the first year after surgery. This will depend on your individual physician and personal needs. Adjustments are typically performed during some of these visits. It is typical for follow-up visits to be scheduled every 3 to 6 months during the second and third year, again depending on the individual case. Back to Top
How is the gastric band adjusted?
A fine needle is passed through the skin into the access port in order to add or remove saline. An addition of small amounts of saline will tighten the band and removal of small amounts of saline will loosen the band. The process usually takes only a few minutes and most patients say it is virtually painless. Your physician may, from time to time, also choose to employ the use of an X-ray machine in locating and accessing the port and in evaluating your adjustment.
Where is the access port located? Does it require special care? Is it visible?
Your surgeon will position the access port beneath the fat of your abdomen. As you lose weight, you will be able to feel the port with your own fingertips but it is positioned well below the surface of the skin, requires no special care and is not visible to others. Back to Top
How often do I have to have my gastric band adjusted?
Your surgeon adjusts the band to your individual needs and requirements. In most cases the first adjustment – often referred to as a “fill” – occurs approximately 4 weeks after surgery. This will allow the stomach to fully heal around the band before the first adjustment. Most patients need 6-8 adjustments in the first year after surgery. Ultimately, the number of adjustments depends on your individual weight loss and will be determined in consultation with your surgeon.
Can the gastric band be removed?
The gastric band is designed to be permanent and is not meant to be removed. However, it can be safely removed. Surgeons report that the stomach generally returns to its original shape once the band is removed.
Back to Top
What is the difference between LAP-BAND® System and REALIZE BAND?
Both of these operations are similar in what they achieve—they cause you to get full on a smaller amount of food by placing an adjustable/inflatable band at the top part of the stomach. There are some subtle differences between the two but most studies show equivalent weight loss and similar complication rates.
Southern Oregon Bariatric Center currently offers only the LAP-BAND® System, adjustable gastric band, manufactured by Allergan. Back to Top
What are the Risks and Benefits of Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding?
With any type of surgery there are risks and benefits.
The benefits include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- High Cholesterol
- Osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints
- Depression
- Sleep apnea/respiratory problems
- Gastroesophageal reflux/heartburn
- Infertility
- Urinary stress incontinence
- Menstrual irregularities
- Asthma
- Skin breakdown
- Swollen legs/skin ulcers
- Extremity venous stasis
- Maintenance of Long-Term Weight Loss
Potential risks of bariatric surgery may include the following:
- Pneumonia
- Abscess
- Wound Infection
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Hemorrhage
- Transfusions
- Bowel Obstruction
- Leakage of Bowel Connections
- Obstruction of the Stomach Outlet
- Band Slippage
- Chronic Nutritional Problems
- Protein Deficiency
- Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
The possible side effects may include the following:
- Nausea
- Food Intolerance including red meats, sugar and milk products
- Other side effects include transient hair loss and loss of muscle mass.
It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your surgeon to evaluate whether surgery is right for you. He or she will make sure all your questions are answered.
Related Topics:
- Insurance FAQ
- Gastric Bypass FAQ
- Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy FAQ
- Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) FAQ
- Duodenal Switch Procedure FAQ
- Out of Town Patient FAQ