Lap-Band surgery is a minimally invasive weight-loss procedure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Lap-Band System for use in the United States in 2001. In clinical trials for the procedure, patients lost an average of 36 percent of their excess weight in the first three years following surgery.
About Lap-Band Surgery
Lap-Band surgery is a restrictive procedure, meaning that it limits the amount of food your stomach can hold. Unlike gastric bypass, your digestive system is not rerouted, and there is less risk of malnutrition after surgery. In Lap-Band surgery, your surgeon places a flexible silicone band around the upper portion of your stomach, forming a small pouch. The nerves that signal satiation are located in the upper part of the stomach, and as food is suspended in the upper pouch, your stomach sends a message to your brain that you are full. Initially, the small pouch will hold just 1 ounce of food. Over time, the pouch will expand to hold 2 to 3 ounces.
The Procedure
Lap-Band surgery is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure performed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make just two to five small incisions and use a small camera called a laparoscope to see inside your abdomen. During the procedure, your surgeon places the band around the upper portion of your stomach and then connects the band to a tube, which leads to an access port on the side of your abdomen. Your surgeon will not have to make any incisions inside your stomach. The procedure typically takes about one hour, and you will often go home the same day.
Immediately Following Surgery
After surgery, get plenty of rest, and don't attempt to lift anything heavy. Try to avoid vomiting, as this can stretch your stomach pouch. To prevent infection, your doctor may instruct you to refrain from showering or bathing for 24 hours. You may experience some pain and soreness for a few days. You should be able to return to work after about a week, but if you have a physically demanding job, you may need more recovery time. Talk to your doctor about resuming exercise after surgery. Your doctor may recommend that you walk as much as possible to help speed your recovery. You will gradually be able to increase your duration and activity as your discomfort subsides.
Post-Surgical Diet
For the first week following surgery, you may only be able to tolerate thin liquids, such as clear broth, skim milk or fruit juice. Try to choose liquids containing an adequate number of calories, but refrain from drinking too much in order to prevent vomiting. During your third week after surgery, you should be able to consume soft, pureed foods, such as mashed potatoes and yogurt. Try to eat protein-rich foods, such as skinless fish. By five weeks, you should be able to resume eating tender, solid foods.
Considerations
Chew foods thoroughly to prevent obstructing your stomach opening. If solid foods cause you to feel nauseated, return to the liquid diet. Consuming liquids and solids together could also cause vomiting, so refrain from drinking during meals. Contact your doctor if you experience a high fever, chest pain, pain or swelling in your legs or pain or swelling at your incision sites.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The Lap-Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System: Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data
- ObesityHelp: Weight Loss Surgery
- Medline Plus: Laparoscopic Gastric Banding
- Lap-Band AP System: The LAP-BAND Procedure
- University of California San Diego Medical Center: Lap Band Diet Guidelines
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