The Lap-Band system is more formally known as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or laparoscopic gastric band surgery. Lap-banding is a surgical procedure used for weight loss in which an adjustable band is placed around the upper section of your stomach. The band essentially limits the amount of food that your stomach can hold. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and the risks associated with Lap-Band surgery.
Description
Lap-Band surgery is a type of gastric bypass surgery that's intended for dramatic weight loss in obese and morbidly obese individuals, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Lap-Band surgery is considered less invasive than other types of gastric bypass procedures, because the surgery is performed laparoscopically with a tiny camera placed into your abdomen through a small incision instead of by cutting open the abdominal area. The band makes your stomach into a smaller pouch, limiting the amount of food you can eat and making you feel fuller after eating only small meals, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Weight Loss
The amount of weight you can lose with Lap-Band surgery depends on your current body weight and how well you respond to the surgery in the long term. Your weight loss with the Lap-Band system will typically be more gradual and less significant than weight loss from gastric bypass surgery, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, noting that most people lose one-third to one-half of the extra body weight they have after Lap-Band surgery. You will typically lose weight gradually but steadily over the course of three years after the procedure, but some people continue to lose weight for up to five years after the surgery. Your doctor can adjust the band several times each year to increase the restriction if you're not losing weight, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Considerations
After the Lap-Band surgery, you'll likely need to stay in the hospital for at least one or two days, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The morning after the procedure, you'll begin a diet of only clear liquids. The liquid or soft diet will continue for about two weeks following the surgery, states the University of Michigan Health System. Afterward, you can slowly begin adding solid foods to your diet. You'll feel full quickly after eating only small portions, and you could feel nauseous or vomit if you don't stop eating early enough. Due to the severe restrictions that the Lap-Band system places on your food intake, you'll likely need to take a vitamin-mineral supplement to get enough nutrients. You can also expect to follow strict exercise and eating guidelines after the Lap-Band surgery, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dangers
During the surgery, you'll be under anesthesia, which poses risks for allergic reactions and breathing problems, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. All surgical procedures can pose dangers of life-threatening blood clots, infections, heart attack or stroke, and bleeding. Gastric banding poses its own unique risks as well, including port hernias, band slippage or erosion, port infections, stomach obstructions, and dilation of your esophagus, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Malnutrition, gastritis, stomach ulcers and heartburn can also occur after Lap-Band surgery.
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