Weight loss surgeries, including gastric lap banding, are popular as a method to help people lose weight. Although a proper diet and exercise are an important part of losing weight, gastric lap banding procedures can make weight loss easier. As these surgeries become more common and the surgeons develop experience, these procedures become safer.
Identification
Gastric lap banding is a procedure in which a surgeon places an adjustable band over the upper part of a patient's stomach. This causes the volume of the stomach to be greatly reduced. Patients with a lap band cannot eat as much because they feel full after a small amount of food.
Recommendations
Lap banding surgery is recommended for people who are overweight and are unable to lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Gastric lap banding is recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher---generally meaning that they are at least 100 lbs. overweight---or for patients with a BMI of over 35, along with some other condition that would improve with weight loss, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Procedure
The gastric lap banding procedure begins with general anesthesia followed by several (two to five) incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon then passes a small camera (called a laparoscope) into one of the incisions so that she can see everything in the abdomen without making larger cuts. The surgeon will then fit an adjustable band over the upper part of the stomach, dividing the stomach into a small upper pouch and a larger section at the bottom. This procedure, which can be performed in under an hour, will cause food to fill up the upper pouch of the stomach and make the patient feel full. The food will then gradually move to the lower part of the stomach where it will enter the rest of the digestive system.
Side Effects of Surgery
Any surgery that requires anesthesia comes with side effects. This includes the risk of developing breathing problems or an allergic reaction as a result of the anesthesia. Risks from surgery include infections from bacteria that get into the incisions and blood clots. Other potential complications include blood loss and a heart attack or stroke during the surgery.
Side Effects Specific to Gastric Lap-Bands
Aside from the general risks of surgery, gastric lap banding procedures can also create their own side effects. Sometimes the stomach and intestines can become injured during the procedure. The procedure can also cause stomach ulcers or irritation of the stomach's lining. The band can also slip out of place, leading to nausea and vomiting. In that case, the band will need to be readjusted via a minor surgical operation.
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