The Lap-Band was approved in 2001 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the surgical treatment of weight loss. The procedure is considered to be relatively safe, with low rates of complications and death.
The Procedure
Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, or Lap-Band, is used for the treatment of morbid obesity. A laparoscopic surgical procedure is performed through small openings in the abdominal wall. A band is placed around the stomach that limits passage of food. The band is adjusted, in the same way a belt works, by the addition or subtraction of fluid into the device.
Recovery Time
The average recovery time for Lap-Band surgery is reported to be one to two days, but some studies indicate patients may require followup care for up to 10 days. The rapid recovery time is due to the small incisions required to position the device and the relatively few complications.
Complications
The New York University School of Medicine says that of 445 patients, complications occurred in 3.1 percent of cases, including one death. A Belgian study of 763 patients also reported one death, with a rate of 2 percent for post-operative complications. An Italian study of 1,863 patients operated on over six years, reported a 10.2 percent complication rate, likely due to the inexperience of surgeons initially. However, no deaths were recorded as a consequence of surgery.
References
- Surgical Endoscopy: Favorable Early Results of Gastric Banding for Morbid Obesity: The American Experience
- Obesity Surgery: Long-term Results of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity
- Surgical Endoscopy: Lap Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System: The Italian Experience with 1,863 Patients Operated on 6 years
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