Lap band weight loss surgery, also called adjustable gastric banding, is a procedure designed to help severely obese individuals and those at risk for obesity-related health complications manage their weight and health. Though it is considered less invasive than other weight loss surgeries, it does pose numerous risks. The decision to have weight loss surgery is a major one that should be discussed at length with a doctor.
Function
During lap band surgery, an adjustable band is placed around the upper part of a person's stomach to create a small pouch. This limits food intake to the amount that can fit in the pouch, prevents some food absorption and slows digestion. Lap band sugery is designed to stimulate and enhance weight loss in people who cannot lose weight through conventional means, such as diet and exercise. The procedure is not a weight loss "cure," however, as a person must tend to long-term follow-up care, such as adhering to a calorie-restricted, low-fat diet and, in most cases, exercising regularly. The primary goals of lap band surgery are healthy weight management and reduced risk for obesity-related conditions and disease.
Success Rate
Lap band surgery can support weight loss, although results and effectiveness vary. According to the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, people in the United States who've had the procedure have lost, on average, 36 percent of their excess body weight over the course of three years. More than half of those who've had the surgery have lost at least 25 percent of their excess weight. Others have lost more than 75 percent of their excess weight and some have lost none at all.
Side Effects
As with any surgical procedure, lap band surgery poses risks and side effects. The FDA suggests that most people who undergo the surgery experience at least one side effect, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain or slippage of the gastric band. People who do not maintain a proper diet following surgery are at increased risk for weight gain, damaging the gastric band, gas and indigestion. Severe side effects may require additional operations, medical treatments or hospitalization.
Post-Surgery Diet
After lap band surgery, patients must follow a doctor-recommended diet. For one to two weeks following surgery, a person's diet is limited to thin liquids, such as clear broth, skim milk or fruit juices. For the next one to two weeks, soft textured foods, such as apple sauce, mashed potatoes and yogurt are acceptable. Once solid foods can be digested without causing problems, a carefully observed, more regular diet may be consumed. According to the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, certain foods should be avoided long-term, as they may cause side effects. These foods include: dried fruit, pineapple, asparagus, popcorn, grapes, whole nuts and seeds, carbonated beverages and high-calorie foods and drinks.
Comparison to Other Procedures
Lap band surgery is one of many weight-loss procedures available in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, lap band surgery is considered relatively safe and minimally invasive compared to other procedures. It is also adjustable and reversible. Other weight-loss surgery options include roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), duodenal switch and sleeve gastrectomy.
As with lap band surgery, RYGB uses a band to create a pouch at the top of the stomach. It also works to reroute digestive juices and food so that fewer amounts are absorbed. It is a fairly common procedure and promotes the best long-term results. It is also more invasive and less adjustable than the lap band. The duodenal switch procedure also reroutes nutrients and food, but leaves more of the stomach intact than other surgeries. Nutrient deficiency is a potential complication of the duodenal switch. During the sleeve gastrectomy, part of the stomach is removed and no weight loss contraptions, such as a band, are inserted.
Member Comments