Surgeons normally perform Lap-Band surgery on patients who are morbidly obese. It can be done with open surgery, or laparoscopically, in which a hollow, silastic band is placed near the upper end of the stomach to create a tiny pouch. Lap banding is a lengthier but minimally invasive surgical option because it doesn't involve stapling or cutting of the stomach. The surgery promotes weight loss because people lose the ability to eat large amounts of food at one time.
Lap-Band Procedures
The surgery is performed under anesthesia. The surgeon makes a series of incisions across the abdomen to open the area. Surgical instruments, such as slim tubes, or catheters, and a laparoscope, are passed through these incisions. The laparoscopic camera allows the surgeon to view the inside of the abdomen on a television monitor to guide instruments. The band is then fastened around the upper part of the stomach and is secured tightly to avoid slippage between the band and the stomach.
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
Vertical banded gastroplasty, or VBG, is a restrictive procedure that uses a combination of staples and a band to create an upper stomach pouch. With VBG, a horizontal row of staples creates a stomach pouch. The stomach is almost closed with a thick tissue linear cutter. Only a small opening is left for food to pass through from the upper to lower part of the stomach. A plastic band is fastened around the tiny opening. This band can be adjusted after surgery.
Band Adjustment
The Lap-Band surgery uses a silicone-made band for encircling the upper stomach and for partitioning the stomach into a smaller, top section and a larger lower section. The reversible band can be expanded by filling saline solution for adjusting the size of stoma, or aperture, which is the outlet to the gastric pouch. The stoma opening determines the flow rate of food from the upper to the lower part of the stomach. A smaller stoma opening impedes the rate of food intake and provides a feeling of fullness.
References
- University of California, Medical Center
- UK Health Centre: Gastric Banding or Lap-Band Risks & Complications
- Columbia University Medical Center: Risks of Obesity Surgery
- Medic 8: Gastric Band Surgery.....the Surgery a Step by Step Guide
- Columbia University Medical Center: Surgical Procedures & Innovations, Gastric Banding
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vertical Banded Gastroplasty
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